Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority benefits based on U.S. ProvisionalPatent Appln. No. 60/824,822 filed Sep. 7, 2006. This provisional patentapplication is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Aspects of this invention relate to and/or may be used in conjunctionwith systems and methods of the types described, for example, in: (a)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,351 filed in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office on Jun. 27, 2005; (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/177,489 filed Jul. 11, 2005; and (c) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/188,112 filed Jul. 25, 2005. Each of these applications is entirelyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to athletic performance sensing and/ortracking systems and methods. Such systems may include components forsensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and displayingdesired information (e.g., athletic performance information) to theuser. Systems in accordance with at least some aspects of this inventionfacilitate transfer of athletic performance data from the performancesensing system to a processing system and/or a display device, e.g., toenable data input, storage, analysis, and/or display on or by anelectronic display device, including on or by conventional electronicdisplay devices that are known and commercially available (e.g.,including devices that are not typically designed and adapted fordisplaying athletic performance data, such as portable music and/orother audio/video display or playback devices). Systems and methodsaccording to at least some examples of this invention allow much usercontrol of and/or variation in entertainment, motivational, and otheraudio/video content presented to the user via an electronic deviceduring an athletic performance.

BACKGROUND

Modern technology has given rise to a wide variety of differentelectronic and/or communication devices that keep users in touch withone another, entertained, and informed. A wide variety of portableelectronic devices are available for these purposes, such as: cellulartelephones; personal digital assistants (“PDAs”); pagers; beepers; MP3or other audio playback devices; radios; portable televisions, DVDplayers, or other video playing devices; watches; GPS systems; etc. Manypeople like to carry one or more of these types of devices with themwhen they exercise and/or participate in athletic events, for example,to keep them in contact with others (e.g., in case of inclement weather,injuries; or emergencies; to contact coaches or trainers; etc.), to keepthem entertained, to provide information (e.g., time, direction,location, etc.), and the like.

Athletic performance monitoring systems also have benefited from recentadvancements in electronic device and digital technology. Electronicperformance monitoring devices enable easy and convenient monitoring ofmany physical or physiological characteristics associated with exerciseor other athletic performances, including, for example: speed anddistance data, altitude data, GPS data, heart rate, pulse rate, bloodpressure data, body temperature, etc. Such systems, however, havedeficiencies, for example, in their portability, convenience,customizability, and/or user friendliness.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this invention relate to athletic performance sensing and/ortracking systems and/or methods. Such systems and methods may includecomponents for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or forstoring and/or displaying desired information associated with theathletic performance to the user (or others). More specific examples ofsystems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may perform one or more of the following functions: sense oneor more physical or physiological parameters associated with an athleticperformance; store information regarding athletic performances; presentmusic or other media content to users during an athletic performance;allow users to create and/or download workout routines, optionallyincluding music or other media content for presentation during theworkout routine; allow users to store information regarding the contentof individual workout routines and/or individual workout activities;receive user input ranking the workout difficulty or intensity; receiveuser input ranking music or other media content included in orassociated with a workout routine; correlate user ranking informationrelating to music or other media content to objective data relating touser performance during the workout routine at the time the content waspresented; modify workout routines based on a user's subjective inputand/or objective data relating to media content and/or user performanceduring presentation of specific media content; provide rewards and/orenhanced feature sets for certain, limited numbers of or specific users;determine cadence of a user's performance associated with variousworkout activities; compare a user's workout characteristics to otherusers, celebrities, athletes, etc.; participate in virtual races,competitions, and/or events (e.g., for charity, in competition withfriends, etc.); provide motivational and/or reward content, optionallymedia content at preselected times during a workout and/or duringpredetermined events (e.g., when a user approaches or reaches a goal, apersonal best, etc.); provide specialized workout routines based on userselected events, properties, goals, etc.; and modify and extend workoutroutines by adding one or more songs or additional media content to theworkout routine. Systems and methods according to this invention mayperform additional functions and/or use any or all of the abovefunctions in any desired combinations or subcombinations.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to user interfaces foroperating athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems andperforming athletic performance sensing and/or tracking methods (such asoperating systems and/or performing methods of the types describedabove). Such user interfaces may be presented on a display device, suchas a display device of a computer and/or a display device of a portableelectronic device, e.g., a device carried by the user during theathletic performance. User interfaces according to at least someexamples of this invention may use common interface interactionelements, features, and/or functions, such as elements, features, and/orfunctions found in commercially available user interfaces for computersand/or electronic devices, such as elements, features, and/or functionsfound in the graphical user interfaces for WINDOWS® based computersystems (available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.),MACINTOSH® based computer systems (available from Apple Computer, Inc.of Cupertino, Calif.), etc.; elements, features, and/or functions foundin graphical user interfaces for commercially available cellulartelephones, personal digital assistances, and/or electronic audio/videoplayback devices, such as IPOD® systems (available from Apple Computer,Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and at least somefeatures and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numbers indicate like features throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates example systems and an example environment in whichvarious aspects and features of the invention may be practiced or used;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example electronic interface/output or displaydevice combination in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram showing components provided inone example of an electronic interface device in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram showing components provided inone example of an athletic performance sensing system in accordance withthis invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an athletic performance sensing systemin accordance with this invention in which the athletic performance datasensor or collection device is mounted in an article of footwear;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of electronic communications betweenathletic performance sensing systems in accordance with at least someexamples of this invention and external equipment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of electronic communications betweenathletic performance sensing systems in accordance with at least someexamples of this invention and remote systems, e.g., systems forstoring, tracking, and/or analyzing the performance data and/or systemsfor providing workout routines and/or other data; and

FIGS. 8-19 illustrate various example features that may be provided inand/or controlled by user interfaces of athletic performance sensingsystems according to at least some examples of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of the presentinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration variousstructures, embodiments, and examples in which aspects of the inventionmay be used and practiced. It is to be understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be madeto the various illustrated and described elements or steps withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Aspects of thisinvention relate to any of the components, features, elements, or stepsdescribed as part of the systems, methods, and user interfaces below, aswell as to any desired combinations or subcombinations of suchcomponents, features, elements, or steps.

I. General Description of Systems Useful for Practicing Aspects of theInvention

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to systems and devicesused for athletic performance sensing, e.g., to measure, process, store,and/or output physical and/or physiological data associated with anathletic event, an exercise routine, or other physical or athleticperformance (the terms “athletic performance” and “workout routine” areused in this specification to generically refer to any type of athleticevent, exercise, training, routine, or the like, including eventsperformed as training exercises, events performed as part of actualcompetitions, etc.). Some more specific aspects of this invention relateto systems and methods for providing athletic performance data toelectronic devices, to enable display, further processing, output,and/or storage of the athletic performance information and/or data. Inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention, the electronicoutput device may be (and/or may include at least some functions of) aconventional and commercially available electronic audio, video, and/oralphanumeric display or output device (such as a cellular telephone,watch, PDA, pager, MP3 player, audio player, radio, portable television,portable DVD player, video playing device, or the like). At least someexamples of systems and methods according to this invention may includeor utilize an “adapter” or other interface system or device: (a) forreceiving data from an athletic performance sensing system and (b) fortransmitting data to the output device, optionally with some interveningdata processing to place the data in a desired form or format, e.g., forimmediate output on the output device, for storage, for retransmission,etc. The interface system or device, when present and/or necessary, mayphysically plug into an existing port or jack (such as a universalserial bus port, a serial port, a parallel port, or other data orpower/recharger input port) provided in the output device, includinginto conventional ports known and used in commercially availableelectronic devices. This optional feature has advantages in that itprovides owners of conventional electronic devices (e.g., of the typesdescribed above) the ability to display, store, output, and/orretransmit physical or physiological data collected during an athleticperformance (e.g., during walking, running, biking, rowing, etc., a usercould view performance data (e.g., speed, distance, heart rate, etc.) onan MP3 audio playback device display or other electronic device displayand/or receive audio information via headphones connected to the MP3player or other device with audio capabilities, or the like). Ifdesired, the electronic device may be capable of receiving and/orprocessing the performance data directly, in which case the interfacedevice may be omitted.

More specific examples of some aspects of the invention follow.

A. Receipt of Subjective User Input to Control Workout Parameters

Aspects of this invention relate to athletic performance tracking and/orcontrol systems, methods, and computer interfaces. Such systems mayinclude, for example: (a) a display system that presents workoutinformation to a user (e.g., a display screen, an audio/video outputsystem, etc.), wherein the workout information includes informationrelating to content of a user's workout routine; (b) a user interfacesystem that prompts the user for a first input relating to a desiredworkout intensity parameter for the workout routine, wherein the userinterface system prompts the user for the first input after the workoutroutine has begun; (c) an input system for receiving the first input;and (d) a processing system programmed and adapted to perform at leastone function selected from the group of: (i) evaluating the workoutroutine in view of the first input, (ii) providing a revised workoutroutine based at least in part on the first input, and/or (iii)modifying at least one parameter of the workout routine based on thefirst input. Some portions or all of these functions, if desired, may beperformed in and/or provided by small, handheld or other portableelectronic devices, e.g., devices that may be carried by users duringthe course of the workout routine.

Tracking and/or control systems in accordance with at least someexamples of this invention further may include one or more sensors thatsense physical or physiological characteristics relating to userparticipation in the workout routine. The sensor(s) may sense one ormore physical or physiological characteristics associated with anathletic performance, e.g., characteristics of the types described inmore detail below. The athletic performance data presented by thedisplay system may include information based on output from the sensor(such as speed information, distance information, timing information,heart rate, pulse rate, etc.).

The user interface system may prompt the user for the first input at anydesired time during an athletic performance. For example, the userinterface system may prompt the user for the first input (e.g.,requesting an indication of the desired workout intensity level) duringan initial workout activity of an overall workout routine (e.g., duringan initial warm-up time period, within a first 5 to 10% of the overallworkout routine time period, within a first 5 to 10% of an individualworkout activity within the overall workout routine, etc.). As anotherexample, the user interface system may prompt the user for the firstinput toward the end of a workout activity included in the workoutroutine and/or toward the end of the overall workout routine (e.g., if auser's workout results up to that time have placed the user in aposition at which they may achieve a personal best, achieve a goal ormilestone level, etc.; toward the end of a warm-up period; immediatelybefore beginning a new activity in the workout routine; etc.). In someinstances or under some conditions, the user interface system may askfor user input indicating whether a workout activity (or an overallworkout routine) should be extended (e.g., by a certain time period, byadding one or more songs to an existing workout routine or activity,etc.).

When appropriate (e.g., in response to the user's input), the processingsystem may provide a revised workout routine or modify at least oneparameter of the existing workout routine in a wide variety of differentways. For example, based on the user's input, the workout routine may berevised or modified by: increasing a time period associated with atleast one workout activity in the workout routine; decreasing a timeperiod associated with at least one workout activity in the workoutroutine; increasing a resistance level associated with use of a piece ofexercise equipment for at least one workout activity in the workoutroutine; decreasing a resistance level associated with use of a piece ofexercise equipment for at least one workout activity in the workoutroutine; increasing workout speed associated with use of at least onepiece of exercise equipment used in the workout routine; decreasingworkout speed associated with use of at least one piece of exerciseequipment used in the workout routine; increasing a hill climb, stepcount goal, or elevation change parameter associated with use of atleast one piece of exercise equipment used in the workout routine;decreasing a hill climb, step count goal, or elevation change parameterassociated with use of at least one piece of exercise equipment used inthe workout routine; increasing a distance parameter or goal associatedwith at least one workout activity in the workout routine; decreasing adistance parameter or goal associated with at least one workout activityin the workout routine; adding one or more workout activities to theworkout routine; removing one or more activities from the workoutroutine; and/or changing activities or goals in the workout routine.Other ways of modifying or revising a workout routine are possiblewithout departing from the invention.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for trackingand/or controlling workout routines or activities included in athleticperformances (e.g., methods performed by the various systems describedabove, such as methods performed in or by one or more of the user'sportable equipment (e.g., carried during the workout routine) and/or oneor more personal computers and/or remote computers to which the user'sportable equipment may be connected and send data and/or from which theuser's portable equipment may receive data). Examples of such methodsand steps included therein are described above in terms of operating theexample systems described above, and they also are described in moredetail below.

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to user interfacesused to operate the athletic performance tracking and/or controlsystems, receive user input, and/or perform athletic performancetracking and/or control methods, e.g., including the systems and methodsdescribed above. User interfaces in accordance with at least someexamples of this invention may be provided on one or more of the user'sportable equipment (e.g., carried during the workout routine) and/or oneor more personal computers and/or remote computers to which the user'sportable equipment may be connected and send data and/or from which theuser's portable equipment may receive data. Such user interfaces andexample components and features thereof generally are described above interms of operating the systems and performing the methods describedabove, and they also are described in more detail below.

B. Athletic Performance Tracking Systems, Methods, and User Interfacesthat Utilize Subjective User Input

Another aspect of this invention relates to athletic performancetracking systems, methods, and computer presented user interfaces. Suchsystems may include: (a) a processing system programmed and adapted toreceive input indicating at least a first parameter associated with auser's athletic performance during a workout routine (e.g., physical orphysiological data associated with the workout routine, such as speedinformation, distance information, timing information, heart rateinformation, pulse rate information, etc.); and (b) an input system thatreceives user input ranking or characterizing an intensity or difficultyof the workout routine. The processing system further may be programmedand adapted to present objective data to the user relating to theworkout routine (e.g., speed information, distance information, timinginformation, heart rate information, pulse rate information, etc.).Using the user's subjective input (and optionally the objective data,when present), systems and methods according to at least some examplesof this invention may better design future workout routines orparameters, e.g., to help better maintain user interest, to help usersbetter improve their fitness and/or reach their fitness goals, and/or tohelp prevent soreness, overtraining, etc.

Systems according to at least some examples of this invention furthermay include a storage system that stores data relating to plural workoutroutines performed by the user and/or stores the user input ranking orcharacterizing the intensity or difficulty of the respective workoutroutine. Such storage systems may constitute part of the user's portableequipment (e.g., equipment carried by the user and/or used during thecourse of a workout routine), or they may be provided as part of aremote system, such as a user's personal computer and/or a remotenetworked computer (optionally a computer to which at least some portionof the user's portable equipment may be connected or from which at leastsome portion of the user's portable equipment will ultimately sendand/or receive data).

Athletic performance tracking systems according to at least someexamples of this invention further may include a workout routine designsystem for designing future workout routines based, at least in part, onthe user input ranking or characterizing the intensity or difficulty ofa workout routine. For example, for workouts ranked as “too hard” or“too intense,” systems according to at least some examples of theinvention may design future workouts to be somewhat less difficult orintense (e.g., to help prevent soreness, overtraining, discouragement,etc.). On the other hand, for workouts ranked as “too easy,” systemsaccording to at least some examples of this invention may design futureworkouts to be somewhat more difficult, e.g., to help the user better ormore quickly improve their fitness and/or achieve their fitness goals.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for trackingathletic performances (e.g., methods performed by the various systemsdescribed above, such as methods performed in or by one or more of theuser's portable equipment (e.g., carried during the workout routine)and/or one or more personal computers and/or remote computers to whichthe user's portable equipment may be connected and send data and/or fromwhich the user's portable equipment may receive data). Examples of suchmethods and steps included therein are described above in terms ofoperating the example systems described above, and they also aredescribed in more detail below.

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to user interfacesused to operate the athletic performance tracking systems, receive userinput, and/or perform the athletic performance tracking methods, e.g.,including the systems and methods described above. User interfaces inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention may be providedon one or more of the user's portable equipment (e.g., carried duringthe workout routine) and/or one or more personal computers and/or remotecomputers to which the user's portable equipment may be connected andsend data and/or from which the user's portable equipment may receivedata. Such user interfaces and example components and features thereofgenerally are described above in terms of operating the systems andperforming the methods described above, and they also are described inmore detail below.

C. Athletic Performance Sensing Systems with Media Content ControlIncluding Use of Subjective User Input

Another aspect of this invention relates to athletic performance sensingsystems that include media content presentation, e.g., as part of aworkout routine (optionally, with media content data or data identifyingdesired media content included as an integral part of data providing orsetting forth a desired workout routine). Users may create their ownworkout routines or download existing routines, and they may furthercontrol (or “mix”) the media content to be played or presented duringthe course of the workout routine. The data providing or setting forththe workout routine information additionally may include the data forpresenting the desired media content or data pointing to memory location(optionally from an external source) and/or allowing retrieval orpresentation of the desired media content. In addition, however,systems, methods, and computer interfaces according to at least someexamples of this invention may allow users to input their subjectivereaction to media content presented during the workout routine. Suchsystems may include, for example: (a) a processing system programmed andadapted to receive input indicating at least a first parameterassociated with a user's performance during a workout routine, whereinthe first parameter includes physical or physiological data associatedwith the workout routine (e.g., speed, distance, timing, pulse rate,and/or heart rate information, etc.); (b) a media content presentationsystem for retrieving and/or presenting media content to a user duringthe workout routine (e.g., a video display, an audio display (such as anMP3 or other music playback device, etc.), etc.); and (c) an inputsystem that receives user input ranking or characterizing a user'ssubjective reaction to the presented media content. The user input maybe used, at least in part, to control future disposition of the mediacontent (e.g., increasing its playback frequency, decreasing itsplayback frequency, eliminating it from the play library, elevating itto a “motivational song” or an “ultimate motivational song,” etc.).

The processing system in at least some examples of this aspect of theinvention further may be programmed and adapted to: (a) correlatefeatures of the presented media content with at least one physical orphysiological parameter associated with the user's performance duringthe workout routine, and/or (b) display objective data includinginformation relating to this parameter. In this manner, if desired,before changing the status of and/or future disposition of mediacontent, users also can look at the objective data relating to theirworkout to see how, if at all, the media content affected theirperformance (e.g., did performance improve during play of that mediacontent, etc.).

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for sensingathletic performance data (e.g., methods performed by the varioussystems described above, such as methods performed in or by one or moreof the user's portable equipment (e.g., carried during the workoutroutine) and/or one or more personal computers and/or remote computersto which the user's portable equipment may be connected and send dataand/or from which the user's portable equipment may receive data).Examples of such methods and steps included therein are described abovein terms of operating the example systems described above, and they alsoare described in more detail below.

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to user interfacesused to operate the athletic performance sensing systems, receive userinput, and/or perform the athletic performance sensing methods, e.g.,including the systems and methods described above. User interfaces inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention may be providedon one or more of the user's portable equipment (e.g., carried duringthe workout routine) and/or one or more personal computers and/or remotecomputers to which the user's portable equipment may be connected andsend data and/or from which the user's portable equipment may receivedata. Such user interfaces and example components and features thereofgenerally are described above in terms of operating the systems andperforming the methods described above, and they also are described inmore detail below.

II. Specific Examples of the Invention

While example aspects and features of this invention generally have beendescribed above, the following detailed description, in conjunction withFIGS. 1-19, provides even more detailed examples of electronic devicesand athletic performance sensing systems and methods in accordance withexamples of this invention, as well as example user interfaces foroperating such systems and performing such methods. Those skilled in theart should understand, of course, that the following constitutesdescriptions of examples of the invention and should not be construed aslimiting the invention.

A. Description of Various Components of Example Sensing SystemsAccording to this Invention

FIG. 1 illustrates example systems and an environment in which variousaspects of the present invention may be used. As shown in FIG. 1, aperson 100 involved in an athletic performance or workout activity mayhave one or more sensing devices 102(a), 102(b), 102(c), and 102(d)included on their person, their clothing, their footwear, theirequipment, etc. These sensing devices may sense data associated with theathletic performance, including, for example, physical or physiologicaldata associated with the athletic performance. As some more specificexamples, in the environment illustrated in FIG. 1, sensors 102(a)and/or 102(b) may sense step count and data associated with suchactivities (e.g., for pedometer type speed and/or distance measuring),GPS data (e.g., location and/or altitude data, time data, etc.), stepimpact force data (e.g., for active impact attenuation control), jumpheight data, or the like. Sensor 102(c) may sense pulse rate, bodytemperature, blood pressure, hydration levels, or the like, and sensor102(d) may sense heart rate, EKG data, and the like. Of course, anynumber of sensors may be provided, and such sensors may sense anydesired type of athletic performance information (e.g., one or morephysical or physiological parameters) without departing from thisinvention. Additional examples of potential types of data relating to anathletic performance that may be sensed and/or collected include, butare not limited to: route data; ambient temperature data; ambienthumidity data; barometric pressure data; sole member compression data;air intake rate or volume data; air expel rate or volume data; EEG data;blood gas content data; and the like.

As will be described in more detail below, users 100 of systems andmethods according to examples of this invention may be involved in awide variety of different athletic performance and/or workoutactivities, including, for example: various activities using trainingmachines (e.g., in a gym), such as treadmills, spinning machines,elliptical training machines, stationary bicycles, stair climbingmachines, cross-country ski simulating machines, weight liftingmachines, rowing machines, etc.; and various athletic activities thatmay or may not directly involve the use of training machines or otherequipment, such as running, walking, yoga, dance, pilates, stretching,weight lifting (with free weights), martial arts training, tae bo,boxing, wrestling, crew, rowing, kayaking, team based sports (such asbaseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, etc.), athletic trackand field events, etc. Systems and methods according to at least someaspects of this invention may receive input data indicating the type ofactivity in which the user is involved, e.g., through a manual userinput, automatically via electronic communication with some portion ofthe systems according to the invention, semi-automatically in responseto a user's command, etc., as will be described in more detail below.

The various sensors, e.g., 102(a) through 102(d), also may be portableand carried by the person 100 in any desired manner without departingfrom this invention. For example, if desired, one or more sensors may bemounted in or on an article of footwear 104 (e.g., like sensors 102(a)and 102(b) in this illustrated example), provided in or on an article ofathletic apparel (e.g., like arm band 106 in this example, whichincludes sensor 102(c), in a shirt, shorts, pants, socks, headband,etc.), and/or carried along on a piece of athletic equipment (e.g., likea bicycle, bat, racket, club, vehicle, ball, etc.). As still additionalexamples, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a sensing device 102(d) may bemounted directly on the athlete's 100 body, e.g., by adhesives, bands,hooks, other mechanical connectors, or the like.

The sensing systems and/or devices 102(a) through 102(d), as well as anydata transfer systems associated therewith (e.g., such as wirelesstransmission or transceiver devices 108 shown in FIG. 1 and describedmore below (e.g., RFID elements, radio transceivers, etc.)), may bemounted on and/or in articles of footwear, clothing, athletic equipment,adhesive substrates, or the like in any desired manner, e.g., via clips,clamps, adhesives, sewing, in pockets, in suitable receptacles, viahook-and-loop fasteners, via other fasteners or mechanical structures,etc. Alternatively, if desired, the sensing systems or devices 102(a)through 102(d) may be integrally formed with and/or included as part ofan article of footwear, an article of clothing, a piece of athleticequipment, etc. without departing from the invention (e.g., mountedtherein, optionally in a permanent or freely removable manner, etc.) Ifdesired, one or more sensing devices and its/their associated datatransfer system(s) 108 may be included as part of a single structure,e.g., mounted in a common housing and/or on a common printed circuitboard, connected to one another, etc., without departing from thisinvention. Further, if desired, the housing (if any) may be equippedwith an ON/OFF switch; with operation lights (e.g., LEDs, etc.) or otherindicators, e.g., to indicate power status (e.g., on/off), power sourcestatus (e.g., charging v. battery operation), remaining battery life,data reception and/or processing status (e.g., standby v. receiving v.transmitting v. processing, etc.), charge or recharging level status,etc.; etc.

In accordance with at least some examples of this invention, physical orphysiological data associated with an athletic performance may becollected by the various sensing devices (e.g., devices 102(a) through102(d)) and transmitted to an output device 110 for display or otheroutput (and optionally storage, further processing, etc.). Any type ofoutput device 110 may be used without departing from the invention,including, for example, conventional or “off the shelf” output devices110. More specific examples of suitable output devices 110 include:electronic devices with a display screen, such as an LED, LCD, or plasmadisplay screen; watches; portable audio or other media content storageand/or playback devices with an audio output, visual display, or otheroutput, such as radios, tape players, CD players, MP3 players, handheldcomputing devices, and the like; alphanumeric display devices, such asbeepers, pagers, and the like; portable video or audio/video displaydevices, such as portable televisions, DVD players, and the like;portable communication devices, such as cellular telephones, radios, andthe like; portable computing systems, such as PDAs, hand top or palm topcomputing systems, and the like. In the illustrated example, the outputdevice 110 includes an audio or other media content playback device(such as an IPOD® (commercially available from Apple Computer, Inc., ofCupertino, Calif.)) that the user 100 has engaged with his belt orclothing so as to be readily carried and used during the athleticperformance. The use of this type of arrangement is advantageous in atleast some situations because the athletic performance data may bedisplayed on the display system of the device 110 and/or transmitted tothe user 100 via the headphones 140 or other audio output device, andthus the user need not obtain and/or carry an independent display deviceto enable display or transmission of the athletic performance data(thereby reducing weight, expense, and handling difficulties).

One cannot just simply begin transmitting athletic performance data fromsensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) to a conventional electronicdevice 110 and expect the device 110 to operate to receive this data anddisplay it in the desired format (and/or in a user controllable form orformat). Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and in more detail inFIG. 2, systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples ofthis invention may include an electronic interface device 112 thatphysically plugs into the electronic device 110 (e.g., in a releasablemanner) and is carried along with the electronic device 110 during theathletic performance. As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the electronicinterface device 112 of this example includes a connector system 114that physically plugs into and connects with conventional input ports116 provided on this electronic device 110 model. The input port 116into which the connector system 114 of the interface device 112 connectsmay be any type of input port provided on an electronic device 110, suchas data input ports (e.g., parallel ports, serial ports, USB ports,earphone or other jacks or ports, etc.), e.g., like input ports used inconventional electronic devices for data input, synchronization,recharging, AC power supply, etc. The connector system 114 may includesuitable connecting devices, such as wires, pins, electrical connectors,and the like, so as to make electrical connection or other suitableconnections with corresponding elements provided in the input port 116of the electronic device 110 (e.g., to allow electronic and/or datacommunications between the interface device 112 and electronic device110). If necessary or desired, additional securing elements may beprovided to securely hold the interface device 112 together with theelectronic device 110, such as straps, hooks, buckles, clips, clamps,clasps, retaining elements, mechanical connectors, and the like.

In operation, the electronic interface device 112 may receive signalsfrom one or more external sources, such as the various sensing devices102(a) through 102(d), e.g., transmitted via data transfer systems 108included with the sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) to a datareceiving device or system 118 provided in or with the interface device112 (e.g., a wireless receiver or transceiver device, a radiotransceiver, infrared receiver, light source receiver, etc.). Ifdesired, data transfer system 108 and data receiving system 118 each mayinclude the capability of receiving input data and transmitting outputdata without departing from this invention (of course, separatereception and transmission devices or systems may be provided on each ofthe sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) and interface device 112, ifnecessary and/or desired). While a wireless communication protocol isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, any desired manner of communicatingbetween the sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) and the interfacedevice 112 may be used without departing from the invention, includingwired connections, if desired. Signals from the sensors 102(a) through102(d), optionally after data processing in the interface device 112 toplace them in a form or format for display and/or use by the displaydevice 110, are transferred from the interface device 112 to theelectronic device 110 via connector system 114 (which is physicallyplugged into input port 116 of the electronic device 110 in thisillustrated example). Once input to the electronic device 110, the inputdata may be further processed if necessary or desired and then displayedto the user in desired form on the display panel 120.

Any desired way of placing data derived from the physical orphysiological data from the sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) in theproper form or format for display on or output from electronic device110 may be provided without departing from the invention. As examples,if desired, the interface device 112 may be specially designed and/orprogrammed for use with one or more specific electronic devices 110(e.g., pre-programmed and/or wired to operate with a specific device ordevices (e.g., specific models, etc.) and to provide output data in aform and format suitable for those devices). In this situation, theinterface devices 112 may be marketed and sold specifically targeted tocertain electronic devices 110. As another alternative, if desired, theinterface devices 112 may be programmed at a later time to operate witha wide variety of different electronic devices 110, e.g., by downloadingdisplay or device driver and/or format data for specific electronicdevices 110 from the internet, from disk, or from another source, etc.As a more specific example, when the user plugs the interface device 112into an electronic device 110 (e.g., for the first time), signalsexchanged between the interface device 112 and the electronic device 110may identify the devices to one another and/or otherwise enable theprocessing system of one of the devices to activate or download driveror set up information, e.g., from a remote or external source, such asthe internet, from a disk, from memory included with the interfacedevice 112, etc., e.g., akin to the manner in which personal computerdevices recognize newly attached hardware (e.g., a mouse, printer,scanner, etc.) and/or perform various setup operations associated withnewly added hardware or software. Of course, other ways of assuring thatthe data is placed in proper form or format for display, audio output,or other output may be used without departing from this invention. Theprocessing to place the data in the form and/or format for display orother output may take place in the interface device 112, in theelectronic device 110, in the sensor devices 102(a) through 102(d),and/or in any other desired component or system without departing fromthis invention.

If desired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention,the electronic interface device 112 further may include a user inputsystem 122, such as one or more rotary input devices, switches, buttons(as shown in the illustrated example in FIG. 2), mouse or trackballelements, touch screens, or the like. This user input system 122 may beused, for example: to control one or more aspects of the processing ofthe input data received via data receiving device 118, to control inputdata receipt (e.g., timing, types of information received, on-demanddata requests, etc.), to control data output to or by the electronicdevice 110, to control the sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d)(e.g.,activating or deactivating them, etc.), etc. Alternatively oradditionally, if desired, the input system on the electronic device 110(e.g., buttons 124, a touch screen, a digitizer/stylus based input, arotary input device, a trackball or roller ball, a mouse, etc.), may beused to provide user input data to the interface device 112 and/or tothe sensing devices 102(a) through 102(d) or the sensing systems (e.g.,if the connector system 114 or other portion of the interface device 112is designed to accept input from the electronic device 110). As stillanother example, if desired, a voice input system may be provided withthe interface device 112 and/or the electronic device 110, e.g., toenable user input via voice commands. Any other desired type of userinput system, for control of any system elements and/or for any purpose,may be provided without departing from the invention.

The electronic device 110 may include additional input and/or outputelements, e.g., such as ports 126 and 128 shown in FIG. 2, e.g., forheadphones (or other audio output), power supplies, wirelesscommunications, infrared input, microphone input, or other devices. Ifdesired, and if these ports 126 and/or 128 would be covered when theinterface device 112 is attached to the electronic device 110, theinterface device 112 may be equipped with similar external ports toports 126 and/or 128, and internal circuitry may be provided in theinterface device 112 to enable the user to plug the same additionaldevices into the interface device 112 as they might plug into theelectronic device 110 and still take advantage of the same functions(e.g., to thereby allow the necessary data, signals, power, and/orinformation to pass through the interface device 112 to the user, toanother output, and/or to the electronic device 110).

FIG. 3 includes a schematic diagram of various example components thatmay be included in an electronic interface device 112 in accordance withat least some examples of this invention. As shown in FIG. 3 anddescribed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, the interface device112 may include a connection system 114 for physically connecting to anelectronic device, and a data transmission and/or reception system 118(e.g., a wireless data receiver or transceiver, an infrared receiver,RFID receiver, etc.) for receiving input data from an external source,such as a sensor for sensing athletic performance data, a computer,network, or other processing system, etc. Additionally, as further shownin FIG. 3, the interface device 112 may include an input system 122 forreceiving user input, e.g., via keys, buttons, touch screen, digitizer,voice input, stylus input, rotary dial input, trackball or roller ballinput, mouse input, switches, etc.

In accordance with at least some examples of this invention, theelectronic interface device 112 further may include a processing system,e.g., microprocessor 300, for performing various operations, e.g., foroperating the electronic interface 112, for interacting with theexternal data source(s), for receiving user input from one or moresources (e.g., via input system 122, via computer or networkconnections, via transceiver 118, etc.), for interacting with theelectronic device 110 (e.g., via output supplied to the electronicdevice 110 through wire or pin connections 302 included with theconnection system 114), etc. Any number of wire, pin, or otherconnections may be provided via connection system 114 to providesuitable electronic/data communications between the interface device 112and an external electronic device 110 (e.g., like the connection systemsprovided on cellular telephones, MP3 players, audio/video playbackdevices, PDAs, or other portable electronic devices, includingconventional electronic devices known and commercially available). Theconnector system 114 may be designed to match the electronic device 110into which it plugs so as to provide a path for electronic/datacommunications between the interface device 112 and the electronicdevice 110. Moreover, if desired, microprocessor 300 may includeoperating system software and/or may process the input data from thesensing device(s) 102(a) through 102(d), in accordance with at leastsome examples of this invention, to transform the data into suitableforms for receipt by, use in, display by, and/or output by theelectronic device, to change the data form or format, to makecalculations based on the raw input data, etc.

FIG. 3 further illustrates a power supply device 304 included as part ofthe electronic interface device 112. This power supply device 304 mayinclude a conventional battery, e.g., a rechargeable or long lifebattery, as are commonly known and used in the electronics art.Alternatively or additionally, if desired, the power supply device 304may receive power input from the electronic device 110 to which it isattached (e.g., through input pin, wire, or line 306 or other connectionsystem) and use the power source from the electronic device 110 tooperate the various elements and components in the interface device 112(e.g., the microprocessor 300, the data receiving system 118, the inputsystem 122, any operating lights or displays, and the like). As stillanother example, if desired, the power supply 304 may connect to anexternal power source, such as an AC power supply, an external batterypower source, etc., optionally for recharging a rechargeable battery.

If desired, some or all of the various parts illustrated in FIG. 3 maybe mounted, housed, or contained in or on a housing system 308, formedin or on a common printed circuit board, or otherwise formed as aconvenient module or package. The connection system 114 may at leastpartially extend out of the housing 308, may be integrally formed aspart of the housing 308, may be a separate element fixed to the housing308 (e.g., by adhesives or connectors, etc.), may be at least partiallyrecessed within the housing, or otherwise may be available and/orincluded with the housing system 308.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an overall athleticperformance sensing or tracking system 400 in accordance with at leastsome examples of this invention. In this system 400, an electronicinterface device 402 is physically plugged into a portable electronicdevice 404 via a mechanical connection system 406 that holds the twodevices together, e.g., in a secure but releasable manner (e.g., via afriction fit, via detents or retaining elements, via spring elements,etc.). Optionally, if desired, other independent securing elements maybe provided to at least partially help hold the interface device 402with the portable electronic display device 404 (e.g., hooks, straps,snaps, clips, clamps, clasps, retaining elements, etc.).

This example system 400 further includes a sensing system 408 forsensing and transmitting some type of athletic performance data. Morespecifically, in this example structure, athletic performance data(e.g., physical or physiological data associated with an athleticperformance) is sensed by sensors A and/or B, and data from thesesensors is sent to the sensing system's processing system, e.g., amicroprocessor, which optionally may cause the data to be stored (e.g.,in a storage system or memory (not shown in FIG. 4)), further processed,etc. A power supply may be provided (within the system 408 module orexternal thereto) to operate the various components of the sensingsystem 408, such as the sensors, the microprocessor, the data transfersystem 410, memory, and/or any other necessary or desired components. Ifdesired, the microprocessor on board the sensing system 408, if any, mayprocess the sensor data, change its form or format, or otherwisemanipulate the data prior to sending it on to other parts of the system400. The sensing system 408 may constitute a sensor module like modules102(a) through 102(d) illustrated in FIG. 1.

At an appropriate or desired time (e.g., when a data request isreceived, periodically, automatically, upon user demand, etc.), thesensing system 408 may send at least some portion of its data (e.g., rawdata directly from one or more of the sensors, data derived at least inpart from the raw data, etc.) to the electronic interface device 402,e.g., for eventual output to a user via electronic device 404. This maybe accomplished, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, via a wireless datatransmission system (e.g., from wireless data transfer or transmissionelement 410 in the sensing system 408 to wireless data receiving element412 in the electronic interface device 402) or in any other desiredmanner without departing from this invention. Any desired wirelessprotocol, broadcast protocol, or other data transmission protocol may beused without departing from this invention.

Once received at the electronic interface device 402, the athleticperformance data may be further processed, if necessary or desired, andthen supplied to the processing system (e.g., microprocessor) of theelectronic device 404. This may be accomplished at any desired time ortiming (e.g., when a data request is received, automatically,periodically, on user demand, etc.) without departing from thisinvention. From there, the data may be further processed, if necessaryor desired, and then sent to an output device in a form suitable foroutput to a user (e.g., in audio, video, and/or alphanumeric form,etc.).

In this illustrated example system 400, power for the electronicinterface device 402 is supplied via the power supply 416 used foroperating the electronic device 404 (e.g., which may be a rechargeablebattery of a cellular telephone, an audio playback device, or otherportable electronic device), as shown by the connection 418 between thepower supply 416 and the “power” element 424 via the connection system406. The “power” element 424 in interface device 402 in this example maybe a component used simply to distribute power from an external powersource (e.g., the power supply 416 of electronic device 404 in thisexample) to various components of the interface device 402.Alternatively, the power element 424 may be omitted, e.g., if internalwiring of the interface device 402 allows power transfer from powersupply 416 to all required components of the interface device 402. Asstill another example, if desired, power element 424 may constitute arechargeable battery that may be recharged independently and/or throughpower supplied through power supply 416.

Additionally, in this example system 400, user input may be furnished tocontrol the electronic interface device 402 via input systems 420provided in the portable electronic device 404. For example, if desired,a user could enter a specific mode of operation via inputs provided onthe electronic device 404 in which various features, functions, orcharacteristics of the electronic interface device 402 may becontrolled. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the electronicinterface device 402 may include its own input system (and/or its ownpower supply), e.g., as described above in conjunction with FIG. 3,without departing from this invention (however, utilizing thesecomponents and resources from the electronic device 404 helps reduce theoverall size, weight, and cost of the interface device 402 and system400).

Of course, many different arrangements of various elements orcomponents, including some or all of the elements or components shown inFIG. 4, may be used without departing from this invention. Moreover,additional components or elements may be included in such systems, orone or more of the illustrated components or elements may be eliminatedwithout departing from the invention. Additionally, if desired, a singleelectronic interface device 402 and electronic device 404 may besimultaneously operatively connected so as to receive data input frommultiple independent sensing systems, e.g., of the type shown atreference number 408 (see, for example, the arrangement of FIG. 1). Asanother example, if desired, a single sensing system 408 maycommunicate, separately or simultaneously, with plural interface devices402 and/or electronic devices 404. Many variations in the overallstructures, components, and architectures of various systems arepossible without departing from this invention.

One potential advantage of systems and methods according to at leastsome examples of this invention lies in the fact that the components andinfrastructure of an existing portable electronic device (e.g., acellular telephone, MP3 player, PDA, or the like) may be leveraged andused in combination with an electronic interface device that connectsthereto and electronically communicates therewith in order to allow thisexisting electronic device to additionally display, output, and/orprovide athletic performance data to a user without requiring the userto obtain and carry another electronic device. As noted above,leveraging the input system and/or power supply of the existingelectronic device used for its display can further reduce the size,weight, cost, and complexity of the interface device, thereby providingadditional advantages. Of course, if desired, the separate interfacedevice (e.g., 112 or 402) may be eliminated and a separate dedicatedelectronic device 404 may be provided for accepting and displayingathletic performance data (and optionally performing other desiredfunctions). As yet another example, if desired, electronic device 404may be constructed to directly accept input from sensing systems 408,thereby rendering interface device 402 unnecessary.

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems may be provided ina wide variety of different environments without departing from theinvention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, if desired, one ormore sensors for sensing data associated with an athletic performance(e.g., physical or physiological data) may be provided in a housing 422,optionally along with at least a portion of a data transfer system(e.g., wireless transmission or transceiver device 410) and/or otherprocessing or electronic components, e.g., to provide an athleticperformance data sensing module or system 408. When provided as a moduleor otherwise provided as separate elements, these portions of athleticperformance sensing systems (e.g., 408) may be provided at any desiredlocation without departing from the invention, e.g., assuming their datasensing, processing, and/or transmitting capabilities are notcompromised by the positioning. FIG. 5 illustrates an example system andenvironment 500 in which an athletic performance sensing module 502 ismounted in an article of athletic footwear 504. The module 502 mayinclude, for example, one or more athletic performance data sensors, adata transfer system, processing capabilities, a power supply, and/orthe like (e.g., like the system 408 shown in FIG. 4). Any desired mannerof mounting the module 502 in or on the article of footwear 504 may beprovided without departing from the invention, such as via a slot,chamber, or receptacle formed in the midsole (e.g., in the heel or archportion); via a mounting pocket or element; via straps, adhesives,mechanical connectors, hook-and-loop fasteners, retaining elements,etc.; via user removable connections; etc. Alternatively, if desired,the module 502 may be embedded in or integrally formed as part of thearticle of footwear 504, e.g., during footwear manufacture, and/orpermanently fixed thereto. As one more specific example, module 502 maybe mounted in a receptacle formed in the heel or arch portion of anarticle of footwear (e.g., formed in a midsole member), beneath thefootwear insole member, in a manner similar to the receptacles providedin “PLUS™ ready” footwear available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the module 502 may be in wireless (or other)communication with an interface device 506, which in turn is physicallyconnected to an electronic device 508, such as a music playback deviceor a cellular telephone as illustrated in FIG. 5. This electronic device508 may be attached to the user's body, clothing, or equipment, e.g., soas to be easily carried, moved, and/or viewed during the athleticperformance. In general, any of the various athletic performance sensingsystems, electronic interface devices, and/or portable electronicdevices of the types described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4 maybe used without departing from this invention. As more specificexamples, if desired, the sensing devices aboard module 502 may providestep count, timing, and/or other data, and the electronic interfacedevice 506 may process this data so as to provide pedometer type speedand/or distance data for output by electronic device 508. Of course, anytype of data may be provided by modules 502 and any desired type ofinformation may be displayed or otherwise output on electronic device508 without departing from this invention.

Given this general description of a basic athletic performance datacollection system in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention, more detailed descriptions of example features, content, anduse of systems and methods according to examples of this inventionfollow.

B. Description of Example Athletic Performance Sensing and TrackingSystems According to this Invention

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate additional features of and environments of usefor example performance sensing and tracking systems and methods inaccordance with this invention. In addition to running or walking on anopen course using pedometer based speed and distance information (orother sensed information), as illustrated in FIG. 1, systems and methodsin accordance with at least some examples of this invention may beuseful to sense and/or track athletic performance characteristics atother locales, such as in a gym or spa, in workout classes, at home, andthe like. The system 600 of FIG. 6 illustrates the performance module502 (e.g., carried by the athlete during the performance, such as in anarticle of footwear 504, as part of the athlete's clothing, an articleworn by the athlete, etc.) in communication with a portable electronicdevice 508 via an interface device 506, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5.See transmission indicator 602 in FIG. 6. In addition to thiscommunication, as illustrated in FIG. 6, any or all of the module 502,interface device 506, and/or electronic device 508 may be configured toexchange data with one or more pieces of exercise equipment 604 or otherthings, e.g., equipment or transceiver devices included in a gym, spa,or other athletic performance setting.

Reference number 604 in FIG. 6 may indicate any type of exerciseequipment and/or gym, spa, home, or other athletic performance setting.For example, reference number 604 may represent a wide variety ofdifferent types of athletic and/or training equipment, including, forexample: training machines commonly found in a gym, such as treadmills,spinning machines, elliptical training machines, stationary bicycles,stair climbing machines, cross-country ski simulating machines, weightlifting machines, rowing machines, etc. Additionally or alternatively,reference number 604 may represent various performance locales that mayor may not directly involve the use of training machines, such asfacilities (e.g., training rooms) used for yoga, dance, pilates, martialarts training, stretching, weight lifting, tae bo, boxing, wrestling,etc. As yet another example or alternative, reference number 604 mayrepresent or include an input device through which a user can enterinformation regarding the athletic or training activities he/she hasdone or plans to do, such as track and/or field training or events, teamsporting events, free weight lifting, etc. Reference number 604 also mayrelate to a physical or physiological parameter measuring system, suchas a scale, heart rate monitor, blood pressure measuring system, bodytemperature measuring system, etc. Using systems like those illustratedin FIG. 6, users can use element 604 to produce input for tracking anydesired type of athletic or training activity with which they areinvolved and/or physical or physiological parameter relating to theirtraining.

A wide variety of different types of data and information may beexchanged between the exercise equipment 604 (or other workout orathletic performance setting or equipment) and the portable equipmentkept by the user (e.g., module 502, interface device 506, and/orelectronic device 508). For example, if desired, the equipment 604 maybe designed to send information to the user's equipment (e.g., viatransmission/reception system 606) relating to the workout parameters ofan individual workout or training exercise, such as: data detectable orsensed by gym or workout equipment, such as distance traveled, speed,elevation changes, number of steps, number of floors climbed, overalltime, speed or other data as a function of time, calories burned,revolutions per minute, number of rotations, resistance settings, hillor incline information, amount of weight lifted, number of repetitions,weight machines used, etc. Any measured physiological characteristicsalso may be sent to the user's portable equipment, such as heart rate,pulse rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, EEG data, EKG data,body temperature, air intake/expel rates, etc. Transmission/receptionsystem 606 also may send identification information, such as an exercisemachine identification, room identification, location information, otherequipment identification information, etc. The desired data may be sentto the user's portable equipment at any desired time, such as in realtime (as it is being collected at the equipment 604), periodically,after the exercise is complete, as the user leaves the gym facility,etc.

For systems using pedometer based information, in addition to detectingspeed and/or distance information, it is useful in at least some examplesystems and methods according to this invention for the sensing systemto measure or detect data and information relating to the user'scadence, rhythm, or “beat” associated with the athletic performanceactivity (e.g., steps, rotations, foot movement direction changes, armmovement direction changes, etc., with respect to time, such as stepsper second, revolutions per minute, stair-stepper steps per second,rowing strokes per minute, etc.). An accelerometer and/or directionchange sensor may be used in determining cadence. The module 502 and/orother portions of the portable equipment (e.g., interface device 506and/or electronic device 508) and/or the equipment 604 may be used toprovide data and information relating to user cadence. Cadenceinformation may be collected with respect to a wide variety of athleticperformance activities, including many activities that take place in agym using exercise equipment, such as running or walking on a treadmill,spinning, elliptical training, stationary bicycle training,stair-stepper training, cross-country skiing simulation, rowingsimulation, etc. In addition to providing data relating to the athleticperformance, cadence information also may be useful in systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention forselection of motivational, inspirational, performance enhancing, orother media content during the athletic performance (e.g., for songselection and the like), as will be described in more detail below.

When reference number 604 represents a facility or locale, it may simplysend information identifying the location and/or timing information(such as time spent at the location). For example, reference number 604may include an RFID or other data transmission device 606 thatcommunicates with the user's portable equipment to indicate when a userenters or leaves a certain room or area (such as a weight lifting room;an aerobics, yoga, or pilates studio; a martial arts training facility;etc.) and/or to indicate the amount of time the user spent at thatlocation (such as actual entry and/or exit times, date information,overall time spent, etc.). If a specific locale may be used for numerousactivities, scheduling or other information also may be provided and/ortransmitted so that the transmission device 606 also may be capable ofautomatically transmitting the type of activity with which the user wasinvolved when present at the location or facility. Such data can helpusers create and/or maintain a detailed tracking and/or complete log oftheir workout activities, e.g., even in situations where no physical orphysiological data can be provided by the sensors. Optionally, ifdesired, users can include additional information in their workoutcalendar or log, e.g., for tracking purposes, such as user locationdata; flight or hotel stay information; menstrual cycle data; athleticevent calendar information; target or goal date information; and anydesired historical, future, calendar, or goal information.

Data also may be transferred from the user's portable equipment (e.g.,module 502, interface device 506, and/or electronic device 508) to theexercise equipment or other workout or athletic performance setting 604.For example, user ID information may be transmitted so that the exerciseequipment or other workout or athletic performance setting 604 can storeworkout data associated with the specific user. As another example, ifdesired, the user's portable equipment (e.g., module 502, interfacedevice 506, and/or electronic device 508) may be used, at least in part,to control the exercise equipment or other workout or athleticperformance setting 604, e.g., to make the workout machine settingscorrespond to a workout pre-programmed into or downloaded to the user'sportable equipment. For example, workout information downloaded from aworkout routine stored in or available through the portable equipmentmay be used to control various features of the workout, such as: weightmachine settings, resistance settings, incline (or hill level) settings,target distance (or other overall time length or duration) settings,target calorie burn (or other physiological based parameter) settings,treadmill speed or incline settings, etc. As yet another example, ifdesired, the user's portable equipment may send workout identificationinformation (e.g., Workout 12) to the exercise equipment or otherworkout or athletic performance setting 604, which then may use thisidentification information to provide the desired settings for theidentified workout from information stored in memory. Data collected asa workout progresses (e.g., via module 502, etc.) also may be used, ifdesired, to control the exercise equipment or other workout or athleticperformance devices (e.g., to set or change intensity or resistancelevels, to shorten or lengthen workout times, etc.). Of course, otherinformation also may be transmitted from the user's portable equipmentto element 604.

As another potential option or alternative, if desired, the user'sportable equipment (e.g., module 502, interface device 506, and/orelectronic device 508) may be programmed and adapted to send informationto the exercise equipment 604, e.g., for display by the exerciseequipment 604, for transmission to a remote source (e.g., via a networkmaintained at the gym or spa, etc.), etc. As more specific examples, asdescribed in more detail below, the electronic device 508 may be aplayback device that presents audio and/or video information to theuser, such as music, videos, and/or other entertainment content. Ifdesired, systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may be arranged and adapted to send this content from orthrough the electronic device 508 (or other user carried portableequipment) to the exercise equipment 604 (or another device), so thatthe media (or other) content may be displayed or presented on a screenor other output device provided with the exercise equipment 604 (e.g.,an input panel, a touch panel, a television screen, an audio outputsystem, etc.). Furthermore, if desired, in such systems, the input panelor other portion of the exercise equipment 604 may be programmed andadapted to receive user input controlling the playback features of themedia content (e.g., to skip songs or other content, replay songs orother content, select songs or other content for presentation, etc.).

FIG. 7 illustrates additional features that may be present in exampleathletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems and methodsaccording to this invention. The arrangement 700 shown in FIG. 7 allowsusers to send data and information to and/or receive data andinformation from one or more remote sources, such as from one of theportable devices (e.g., module 502, interface device 506, and/orelectronic device 508) to a personal computer (e.g., at the user's homeor office) or other computer station 702 (which may include the workoutequipment itself and/or a computer maintained at the gym or otherfacility) and/or to a remote system 704 (optionally via a networkconnection, such as over the Internet), which may be maintained andoperated by the user, by a fitness center, by a gym, or by another thirdparty. This arrangement 700 may allow for more convenient storage,maintenance, retrieval, and further processing of the collected athleticperformance data (e.g., as compared to limiting the user interface, dataprocessing, and/or computational capabilities of the overall system tooperations performed through the electronic device 508 and/or interface506).

In addition to storing historical data and information, this arrangement700 allows downloading of data and information from one or more remotesystems 704 to the user, e.g., to the PC or other equipment 702 and/orto the portable device 508 (optionally through the interface device506). Data also may originate in the PC or other equipment 702 (withoutthe use of a remote computer 704) and be sent to the user's portableequipment 506 and/or 508. In some instances, the remote system 704 (orsystem 702) may be accessed by multiple users (e.g., over a network,such as the internet or a gym based network), and such systems mayprovide a wide variety of data and information to users (e.g., eachindividual user may have his/her own webpage(s), user ID, password,etc.). While potential content of this exchanged data and informationwill be described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 8through 19, as examples, this downloaded data and information mayinclude: pre-programmed workouts; music or other audio/video content;pre-programmed workouts mixed with music or other audio/video contentincluding coaching and/or motivational content; comparative data;coaching, safety, and/or motivational content; and the like.

C. Description of Example Features of Systems and Methods According tothis Invention

One feature of systems and methods according to at least some examplesof this invention relates to the ability to sense and track informationrelating to a wide variety of types of athletic performance activities.Data relating to athletic performances can be entered into systems andmethods according to the invention automatically, semi-automatically,and/or manually. More specific examples follow.

When performing athletic activities using exercise machines (e.g., likethose present in a gym, spa, home, etc.), users can get immediatefeedback, data, and information relating to their activities on theirportable electronic device 508, including data and information producedby the module 502 and/or data and information collected or measured bythe exercise or other equipment 604. This may be accomplished, forexample, using a system 600 like that shown in FIG. 6. If desired, theequipment 604 may transmit (automatically, in response to user input, inresponse to activation of an RFID transmission system, etc.) some typeof identifying data or information so that the electronic device 508 orother portion of the user carried portable equipment can storeinformation to track one or more of: the type of workout activity (e.g.,type of machine, etc.), the length of the workout, one or moreparameters associated with the workout, etc.

Some athletic performance activities do not utilize machines, but theymay be performed in a specially designated room or area of a building orfacility. As described above, a transmission device (e.g., device 606)may be provided at the locale to automatically, semi-automatically, ormanually transmit data indicating the location or room at which the userwas present, optionally along with the type of activity that took placewhile there (e.g., based on schedule or other information, for example,to indicate that the user participated in a dance class, pilates class,aerobics class, martial arts training, lifted weights, etc.). The roommay include a wireless transmission system (optionally activated by anindividual user, e.g., by pressing a button, turning on a light, signingin, signing out, opening the door, etc.) that sends data indicating, forexample, the room identification, the type of activity to be conductedat that time in the room (e.g., karate class, etc.), user entry time,user exit time, etc. This transmitted data may be received, for example,by the module 502, interface 506, and/or electronic device 508 andstored. In some instances, the sensor included with the module 502 (ifany) may be able to detect at least some data associated with thesetypes of workouts, even if no machine is directly involved, such asinformation relating to step count, heart rate, pulse rate, cadence,accelerometer data, or other data. From this data, some features of orparameters relating to the workout may be derived, such as calorie burn,METs, speed, distance, etc., e.g., by the electronic device 508,interface device 506, and/or module 502, and this data and informationmay be stored. Even if no specific data relating to the workout can bedetected by the module 502 (such as step count, heart rate, etc.),transmission of the room or locale identification data to the electronicdevice 508 (optionally through the module 502) can be useful to theuser, e.g., to provide an indication and some record that a workout hastaken place and optionally at least some data indicating the type ofworkout (which data and information may be entered into and included inthe user's workout history).

Workout information can be entered into the electronic device 508 evenin situations where there is no machine, room, or other locale 604 fromwhich to transmit data and/or even in situations where the module 502(or interface device 506 or electronic device 508) cannot sense datarelating to the workout (e.g., when running, jogging, or walkingoutside; when participating in dance, aerobics, or other classes;martial arts training; free weight lifting; team sports (such asbaseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, etc.) etc.). The datamay be provided, for example, by manually entering workout informationinto the electronic device 508. FIG. 8 shows an example of theelectronic device 508 with a display screen 800 having an example userinterface 810 allowing user input of information relating to a workoutor activity in this situation. While a wide variety of information andcombinations of different types of information may be entered, thisexample interface 810 includes a panel 802 through which the type ofactivity to be conducted may be selected from a listing and anotherpanel 804 through which the type of activity may be entered (e.g.,optionally activities not found in the panel 802). In addition, thisuser interface 810 includes “start,” “stop,” and “pause” buttons thatallow users to record time and/or timing information associated with theworkout or activity, if desired. Again, if the sensor included with themodule 502 is able to detect at least some data associated with thesetypes of workouts, such as step count, heart rate, pulse rate, or otherdata, this data may be collected, sent to the electronic device 508,stored, presented on display screen 800, and/or associated with thespecific workout. Collection of data in this manner can be useful toprovide at least some information for the user indicating his/hercomplete workout history (e.g., workout dates, attendance, workoutlengths, etc.), even when little or no actual workout data from theavailable sensors can be produced or made available.

Also, any desired manner of inputting data into the interface screen 800may be provided without departing from this invention, such as akeyboard, mouse, trackball, roller ball, stylus, pen, touch screen,touch pad, rotary input device, etc. Such interface systems and inputdevices are conventionally known and used in the electronic device art.

Of course, any desired data information or content may be requestedand/or entered through the user interface 810 without departing fromthis invention. As more specific examples, data input can be requestedand/or provided on a more granular level than that described above inconjunction with FIG. 8. For example, more detailed informationregarding timing, duration, intensity, or other features of the activitymay be requested via interface 810, e.g., depending on the activitytype, user settings, etc. For example, if the selected activity was“Free Weights” or “Weight Training,” the user interface 810 according toat least some examples of this invention may request entry of additionalinformation, such as type of lifting performed (e.g., squats, dead lift,bench press, military press, curls, etc.); number of sets performed;number of repetitions per set; amount of weight lifted per set; etc.Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the weight machine and/orindividual weights may include an electronic module (e.g., such as anaccelerometer or the like for sensing direction changes and atransmission system (such as an RFID transmitter)) that allows automatictransmission of certain information to the electronic device 508(optionally through the module 502 and/or interface device 506), such asrepetition counters (each up/down movement of the weights), weightinformation per set, number of sets, etc. The transmission system may beactivated automatically, manually, or semi-automatically.

Systems and methods according to examples of this invention may providea wide variety of useful information, features, and/or data for users.For example, systems and methods according to examples of this inventionallow users to store and retrieve data relating to one or more workouts,which may be stored, for example, on a local computer 702, the remotesystem 704, on portable devices 502, 506, and/or 508, etc. Any of thesensed data, timing information, and the like may be stored, retrieved,and further processed and analyzed by users. Systems and methodsaccording to at least some examples of this invention further may allowusers to compare their workout routines, data, and/or fitness level toother information, such as: their own stored workouts; stored workoutsof other users of remote system 704 (optionally workouts of specificindividuals, such as friends, workout partners, etc.; users of the sameor similar size, weight, age, gender, fitness level, etc.; etc.);similar workouts of well known athletes or celebrities; and the like. Asadditional examples, if desired, systems and methods according to atleast some examples of this invention may further allow users to comparetheir workout routines, data, and/or fitness level to informationrelated to athletic events in which they may or may not haveparticipated, such as road races, bicycling events, triathlons, etc.(e.g., “where would today's time have finished in last year's MarineCorps Marathon,” “how do I compare with the speed of last year's Tour deFrance winner,” etc.).

Systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention also may be used to provide and/or suggest workouts for users(e.g., pre-programmed workouts, optionally taking into account variousfactors, such as user age, height, weight, fitness level, gender, pastperformance, goals, etc.). Such workouts may be designed by fitnessexperts, e.g., for individual users, for general categories or groups ofusers, etc. The workouts or information relating to the workout may bedownloaded to the portable electronic device 508 (e.g., via computer702, from remote system 704, etc.), and they may be designed to provideinformation to the user before the workout begins and/or as the workoutprogresses, optionally in real time. For example, the downloaded workoutmay provide a wide variety of information to the user, such as: realtime workout parameter feedback (e.g., speed, distance covered,stair-stepping, elliptical, or other rate information, calories burned,elapsed time, etc.); workout activity or machine change information(e.g., when to move to a new machine or activity: “you are done on thetreadmill, move to the stationary bike for 20 minutes;” machine settingchange information (e.g., to be performed manually or automatically);etc.); real-time comparison information to previous workouts or to auser's “personal best;” etc.).

Moreover, the downloaded and/or presented information on electronicdevice 508 is not limited to workout information. The electronic device508 also can provide warnings or reminders (e.g., proper warm-up orcool-down reminders, particularly when abrupt changes in activity aresensed (e.g., by module 502), etc.; over-training warnings (e.g., bycomparing workouts on consecutive or recent dates); nutritionalreminders; etc). Also, because systems and methods according to at leastsome examples of the invention can store information regarding workoutsperformed by a user over time, they can recognize a user's preferencesand provide customized workouts or suggest certain workouts or portionsthereof, so that the user's workout routine will change (to help preventboredom) and help him/her better accomplish their goals. Systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention may beprogrammed and adapted to provide user rewards over time, e.g., based oncontinued usage, attaining pre-set goals, etc. Any type of reward may beprovided, such as presents, prizes, coupons, discounts, motivationalaudio or video content, etc., as will be described in more detail below.

Because at least some portions of systems and methods according toexamples of this invention may receive data from multiple users, userscan compete against one another and/or otherwise compare their athleticperformances, even when the users are not physically located in the samearea and/or are not competing at the same time (e.g., virtual races orcompetitions). These features can help motivate users and keep theirworkout routines interesting. Moreover, systems and methods according toat least some examples of this invention can suggest new workoutprograms to a user based on workout programs followed by other users(whether or not the “other users” are known by the original user),optionally programs followed or practiced by other users of similarsize, weight, or age; the same gender; the same general fitness level;etc. Such features can motivate users to compete with and/or beat theirfriends or other users at various different workout routines. Changingworkout routines also can help users more quickly improve, reach theirgoals, break through “plateaus,” etc.

While various aspects of the invention described in this sub-section aredescribed as providing data and information to/from the portableelectronic device 508, those skilled in art will recognize that the dataand information may be transmitted to/from other devices withoutdeparting from this invention, such as the module 502, the interfacedevice 506, a user's PC or other input device or exercise equipment 604or 702, etc.

D. Use of Subjective User Input and/or Feedback in Systems and MethodsAccording to Examples of this Invention

Systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention utilize user feedback or user input in various ways, e.g., tobetter customize workouts; to change or improve the workoutentertainment and/or motivational content; to maintain workout“freshness;” etc. FIG. 9 illustrates one example of systems and methodsin accordance with this invention in which user feedback is used toselect one or more features of a workout before it begins and/or at theearly stages of the workout routine. As shown, in this example, thescreen 800 of electronic device 508 displays the general features of aselected workout (e.g., the individual workout activities) for thatworkout session in panel 900. At some time toward the beginning of theworkout (e.g., either before actually starting, during, or after aninitial warm-up period, etc.), the user is prompted to enter informationindicating how he or she “feels” that day. More specifically, in thisillustrated example, as the warm-up period begins or progresses (asindicated by the darkened time slot in the workout schedule shown indisplay panel 900), the system and method of this example ask the userto input information regarding the desired workout level for that day(e.g., input buttons 902 a, 902 b, and 902 c are provided allowing auser to indicate whether a “light,” “medium,” or “hard” workout,respectively, is desired for that day). Any number of potential choicesfor the workout level may be provided without departing from thisinvention. Optionally, this user interface may be displayed to the useralong with motivational, coaching, and/or warning media content, as willbe described in more detail below (e.g., audio content encouraging theuser to select a hard workout level, a reminder of the past workout,etc.).

The characteristics or parameters of the workout may be varied widely,depending at least in part on the selected workout level. For example,if desired, the types of activities included as part of the workout maybe changed, depending on the selected workout level. As another example,the time duration(s) of one or more of the activities may be changed,depending on the selected workout level. As yet another example, ifdesired, one or more of the amount of resistance, timing/pace/distancegoals, calorie burn goals, overall workout times, incline levels, numberof free weight lifting sets, number of repetitions per set, free weightlifting weight levels, and the like, may be varied to increase ordecrease the “workout level.” Also, various combinations of thepotential changes described above (as well as other potential changes)may be used to change the “workout level” for the user based, at leastin part, on the user's input regarding the desired workout level. Also,any desired amount of increase or decrease in the workout level may bemade without departing from this invention. If desired, systems andmethods according to this example of the invention may allow moredetailed user input indicating the workout level parameters, includinguser input selecting the various parameters or goals for individualactivities and/or the overall workout.

If desired, systems and methods according to at least some examples ofthis invention may allow users to “drill down” to view (and potentiallychange) more information regarding a particular workout or activity. Forexample, if desired, the user could one of the identified workoutactivities (e.g., treadmill), which action could open another userinterface/input panel identifying additional information regarding thatactivity (e.g., treadmill speed, treadmill incline, treadmill pre-setprogram information, etc.). If desired, the user may be able to modifymore detailed aspects of an individual workout or activity, e.g.,through such additional user interface/input panels or in other manners.Any desired number of “drill down” panels and/or levels for acceptinguser input may be provided without departing from this invention.

Selection and/or modification of a user workout based on subjective userinput are not limited to the pre-workout, pre-warm-up, and/or earlyworkout stages. Rather, systems and methods according to some examplesof this invention may periodically prompt users to indicate how they“feel” and/or to indicate whether the workout parameters should bechanged in some manner. These prompts may occur automatically at variousdifferent times during a workout or activity, e.g., at predeterminedintervals; at predetermined times into a workout or activity; when thesystem senses excessive user difficulty in “keeping up” with theworkout; when the system senses that the user is too easily keeping upwith the workout (e.g., based on pulse or heart rate data, etc.); when auser potentially could exceed his/her personal best, reach a goal ormilestone, etc.; etc. Such features can help motivate users and helpthem more quickly increase their fitness level and/or reach theirfitness goals while helping to avoid soreness and overtraining (andpotentially discouraging) the user.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the display screen 800 of electronicdevice 508 providing an example user interface in which the user isprompted to provide feedback during the course of a workout activity. Asshown, progress panel 1000 shows the user their current workout activity(elliptical training in this example) and the degree to which thisactivity has been completed (12% completed, in this example). At thistime in this example workout, the system has prompted the user for theirsubjective feedback (area 1002), asking the user whether the workoutshould be changed. In this illustrated example, the user interface area1002 provides input buttons indicating several options for the user,namely: maintaining the original workout activity parameters 1002 a;increasing the workout activity time goal 1002 b; decreasing the workoutactivity time goal 1002 c; increasing the workout activity distance goal1002 d; decreasing the workout activity distance goal 1002 e; increasingthe workout activity intensity 1002 f; decreasing the workout activityintensity 1002 g; changing to the next activity 1002 h in the selectedworkout routine (the next type of activity is indicated in the interfacearea 1004 as a “treadmill” workout activity); pausing the workout 1002i; or stopping the workout 1002 j. Any desired information, changeoptions, and the like may be included in the user interface area 1002and/or information like that described above may be made availablethrough plural input screens without departing from this invention.Also, if desired, this user interface screen may be presented withappropriate motivational, coaching, and/or warning information (e.g., anaudio or video clip encouraging the user to increase his/her level,etc.).

Subjective user input also may be received and used by systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention after theworkout is completed. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate examples of userinterface screens that may be used in post-workout analysis situations.For example, as shown in FIG. 11, once a workout is completed, systemsand methods according to at least some examples of this invention may beprogrammed and adapted to provide workout information to the user ondisplay screen 800. In this illustrated example, a workout summary area1100 is provided, indicating various features of the workout, such as: aworkout identification code (“Workout 221” in this example); “distancecovered” data; “elapsed time” data; and “average pace” data. Any type ofdata or information may be provided in the workout summary area 1100without departing from this invention, including user physical orphysiological data, etc. Additionally, if desired, workout summary datamay be provided for each individual activity or segment included in theworkout (e.g., treadmill, elliptical training, weight-lifting, etc.),and the type of data provided for the various different activities maybe the same or different (e.g., workout summary data may be differentfor treadmill workouts as compared with other workouts, such asstationary bicycle, elliptical training, stair-stepping machines,outdoor running, rowing, etc.). Scroll bars, additional display screens,and/or other ways of providing additional information in workout summaryarea 1100 may be provided in order to allow inclusion and/orpresentation of information beyond that which will fit within area 1100on the electronic device 508.

FIG. 11 further shows a subjective user input area 1102 on the displayscreen 800 associated with this post-workout analysis. Morespecifically, systems and methods according to this example of theinvention request that the user “rank this workout” using subjectiveuser input area 1102. While any desired rankings and/or potentialoptions may be made available for the subjective user rankings withoutdeparting from this invention, in this illustrated example, the user hassix choices for ranking the workout, namely: “too easy” 1102 a, “easy”1102 b, “normal” 1102 c, “hard” 1102 d, “too hard” 1102 e, and “hardestever” 1102 f. Advantageously, in at least some examples of systems andmethods according to this invention, this subjective ranking capability(e.g., ranking area 1102) will be provided to the user on the portable,user carried electronic device 508 immediately upon completion of theworkout, so that the true subjective feel and effects of the workout areimmediately fresh on the user's mind.

The subjective data may be used in a variety of ways by systems andmethods according to examples of this invention. For example, once asubjective user ranking is received in the ranking area 1102 of FIG. 11,an additional post-workout analysis screen 1200 (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 12) may be provided. This post-workout analysis screen 1200 usesthe subjective ranking information and compares the actual parameters ofthe present workout with objective historical data relating to the sameor similar workouts in order to provide feedback to the user regardingthis workout, their fitness level, and/or their progress in reaching apre-set goal. As shown in FIG. 12, in this example, the user ranked theworkout as “easy” (area 1202). The post-workout analysis of systems andmethods according to this example of the invention compares this workoutto other workouts. While any desired parameters may be compared, in thisillustrated example, the objective overall distance covered and averagepace data for the present workout were compared and ranked with theobjective data from previous workouts (optionally, from workouts havingthe same or similar conditions and/or parameters, workouts including atleast some of the same activities, etc.). Additionally, in this example,the subjective user data was used to provide feedback (in the form of“Comments” in area 1204) indicating how the subjective ranking of thisworkout compares to earlier workouts. Any type of commentary and/orother information may be provided in area 1204 (or in some other manner,such as via audio, via email, etc.), e.g., coaching feedback;motivational or congratulatory feedback; reward information (e.g., acoupon or code for receiving a discount on athletic equipment orclothing, etc.); etc. The subjective feedback also may be used bysystems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention to automatically modify future workouts for users, e.g.,increase one or more workout parameters (e.g., distance goals, timegoals, intensity or resistance level settings, etc.) for workoutsindicated as “easy” or “too easy,” decrease one or more workoutparameters for workouts indicated as “too hard” or “hardest ever,”and/or to otherwise modify workouts so as to continue challenging andmotivating users while preventing over-training, soreness,discouragement, etc.

Comparison of subjective and/or objective workout data is not limited tocomparisons with efforts made by the individual user and/or historicaldata generated by the individual user. As described above in conjunctionwith FIG. 7, systems and methods according to at least some examples ofthis invention may communicate with remote systems (e.g., over theinternet or other network connection), and multiple users may send theirworkout data to the same remote system(s). Therefore, the user inputsubjective data, as well as the objective data, relating to a user'sworkouts may be compared to workout data and/or subjective inputgenerated by others. In this manner, the systems, methods, and/or userscan compare their workouts and fitness to other users, such as specificindividuals (e.g., their friends, relatives, etc.); famous athletes orcelebrities; other users of similar body type or other characteristics(e.g., the same gender; the same or similar age, height, weight; thesame general fitness level; etc.); etc. Also, systems and methodsaccording to some examples of this invention may provide completely newworkouts for an individual, e.g., based on the user's subjective workoutfeedback; “borrowing” workouts of others saved in the system (e.g.,people performing similar workouts, people of similar age, height,weight, fitness level, etc.); etc. Multiple users may participate invirtual races or other fitness competitions (e.g., first to run 100miles, first to lift 5000 lbs., etc.), which can help keep usersmotivated and improve their fitness. Such virtual races or competitionsalso may be designed to have a charitable beneficiary, e.g., in whichusers obtain pledges for monetary support for every mile run, or thelike, akin to actual (non-virtual) road races used to raise money forcharity.

E. Use of Music and Other Content in Systems and Methods According toExamples of this Invention

Aspects of this invention further relate to the use of music and/orother audio and/or video content in athletic performance sensing and/ortracking systems. Such content may be useful in a variety of ways insystems and methods according to examples of this invention, e.g., forproviding entertainment, information, coaching tips or reminders,motivational content, etc. Advantageously, in accordance with at leastsome examples of this invention, in addition to being able to downloadworkout routines and/or data as described above, electronic device 508will constitute or include an audio and/or video presentation devicethat allows users to also play and/or download music, videos, or otheraudio/video data for presentation during the course of a workout (e.g.,a radio, a tape player, an MP3 player, an IPOD® device (commerciallyavailable from Apple Computer, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.), etc.).

While the audio or video presentation device may be used in aconventional manner, e.g., with user controlled content and/or outputduring the course of a workout, systems and methods according to atleast some examples of this invention allow more user interaction andcontrol over the content presentation provided during the workout. Forexample, systems and methods according to at least some examples of theinvention may allow users to pre-program and/or “mix” their own workoutwith audio/video and/or other content, e.g., to include desiredaudio/video content (e.g., music playback, video playback, coaching ormotivational content, etc.) at desired times and in a desired timing orrelationship with respect to various different phases of a workoutroutine or exercise program. Plural workout routines, optionally usermixed workout routines, stored and downloaded workout routines(optionally including pre-selected or user selected music), purchasedworkout routines (optionally including pre-selected or user selectedmusic), and the like, may be stored on or downloaded to the electronicdevice 508. Also, in systems and methods that utilize an output device,a networked connection, or other computer base station or remotestation, users may make their pre-programmed workouts available toothers (e.g., “publicly available” or otherwise selectively available toone or more other individuals on the system), e.g., for downloading overthe network or otherwise transmitting to another user's electronicdevice 508.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate example features of user interfaces that maybe used to allow users (or others, such as coaches, trainers, etc.) tocreate their own customized workout routines (e.g., for their own use,for use by others, etc.). While these figures illustrate providing theuser interface and creating a workout routine using electronic device508 for user input, those skilled in the art will understand that anycomputer in communication with the overall system (e.g., via theinternet, via a wired connection, etc.) may be used for creating theworkout routine without departing from this invention, such as personalcomputer 702 and/or another computer in communication with theelectronic device 508 and/or remote system 704 from FIG. 7. Also, whileparticular user interface elements are shown and described inconjunction with FIGS. 13 and 14 (e.g., scroll bars, input regions,etc.), other user interface elements, user input hardware, and/or waysfor receiving user input to create and/or change features of the workoutroutine may be used without departing from the invention.

User created workout routines according to examples of this inventionmay include one or more “parts,” wherein a “part” constitutes a specifictype of workout activity, such as: warm-up, walking, running, biking,rowing, use of exercise equipment or gym machines (such as treadmills,stair-stepping machines, elliptical machines, exercise bicycles, rowingmachines, cross-country ski simulators, etc.), weight lifting (freeweights or gym machines), yoga, dance, aerobics, martial arts, teamsports, cool-down, etc. In this example system and user interface, anycombination of activities may be included in a workout routine withoutdeparting from this invention, including, for example, gym or spa basedactivities, outdoor or free range activities, machine or free(non-machine) based activities, team sports or individual activities,etc.

In accordance with examples of this invention, as illustrated in FIG.13, a user can begin creating a workout by selecting the “Add Part”button 1302 on user interface 1300, to add a distinct “part” or activityto the workout routine. In this example system and interface, adding a“part” or activity to the workout routine creates a “part” or activityblock 1304 a, 1304 b, and 1304 c. While three activity blocks 1304 a,1304 b, and 1304 c are illustrated in FIG. 13, any number of activityblocks may be included in a workout routine, and other blocks relatingto the workout routine may be viewed, for example, by interacting withscroll bar 1306 or otherwise indicating a desire to see other parts ofthe workout routine.

Once a part or activity block is created, it may initially appear blankor with a line for the “activity type” provided (see “Part C” inactivity block 1304 c in FIG. 13). A user then may select the desiredactivity type. For example, as indicated in FIG. 13, after adding thepart or activity block 1304 c, in this example interface 1300, the usermay indicate a desire to add or change the “activity type” by selectingthe “change” block 1308 associated with the Part C “Activity Type” line.This action may cause a list of possible “activities” to appear (e.g.,as a “pop-up,” as a separate screen, as an overlay, etc.), and the usermay select the desired activity for the workout from the list, e.g.,using any of a variety of user interface elements and interactionmechanisms and methods, as are known and used in the art.

After the activity type is selected, other lines of the activity blockmay be filled in, optionally in a user changeable manner. The selectedactivity type may affect the data or information to be filled in and/orincluded in the remainder of the input lines for the “part” or activity.For example, selection of an activity type that utilizes an exercisemachine may populate other lines of the part 1304 a, 1304 b, and/or 1304c to include information relevant to that machine, such as desiredspeed, desired incline level, desired weight or other resistance levels,other desired workout intensity features, desired distance, desiredcalorie burn, desired distance traveled, desired total elapsed time,desired machine settings (such as hill, random, etc.), etc. If desired,systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may allow users to even more finely customize the workoutroutine, e.g., by providing the ability to control and/or change thedesired parameters of a workout over time during a given activity (e.g.,change hill, resistance, or intensity levels of a machine over time,change running speed over time, etc.). While the additional lines of agiven “Part” 1304 a, 1304 b, and/or 1304 c may be populated with defaultsettings, e.g., when the part and/or activity type are/is initiallyselected, systems and methods according to at least some examples of theinvention may allow users or others to freely customize and/or changethe content of these lines, e.g., in any desired manner, including, ifdesired, in the general manners described above for changing the“activity type.” Optionally, if desired, the default settings, if any,may be determined based on any desired information, including, forexample, historical data relating to a user's recorded workout historyin general, a user's workout history for that particular activity type,or other features of a user's preferences or history (such as typicaloverall workout elapsed time, elapsed distance, typical speed, typicalincline or resistance settings, weight, age, weight loss/gain, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 13, data input creating and relating to thevarious workout parts 1304 a, 1304 b, and 1304 c includes “Songs” (oroptionally other media or other content) that may be presented to theuser during the course of that part of the workout. When the electronicdevice 508 is a media playback device (such as an MP3 player, an IPOD® 0device (commercially available from Apple Computer, Inc., of Cupertino,Calif.), etc.), systems and methods according to at least some examplesof this invention may play the user indicated list of songs during thatpart of the workout routine. If desired, song or other media contentpresentation can be even more specifically targeted to specific times orportions of the workout activity. In these manners, users canselectively and easily control the media content presented duringvarious portions of the workout routine and activities without the needto adjust the settings or output of the device 508 during the course ofthe workout.

A variety of ways of presenting the media content may be providedwithout departing from this invention. For example, if desired, systemsand methods according to at least some examples of this invention mayplay back the user indicated songs in the user specified order, in arandom or shuffled order, in a continuous looping order, etc.Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the user may include mediacontent in the list or line for that part 1304 a, 1304 b, or 1304 c thatwill last longer than the allotted time or duration for the activity,and systems and methods according to the invention can be adapted tohandle this situation in any desired manner (e.g., by stopping theplayback when the activity ends or changes, and optionally resuming theplayback from the stopped location or from the interrupted song the nexttime that workout activity, workout part 1304 a, 1304 b, or 1304 c, ormedia content list is used, etc.). As yet another potential option, ifdesired, playback may continue until the next workout activity isundertaken (e.g., as indicated or sensed by module 502, user input,etc.), to continue providing entertainment and/or other content to theuser between workout activities. Other desired ways of handling thesesituations may be used without departing from this invention. Also, ifdesired, a user may be provided with the ability to override thepre-selected content with new media selections during the course of theworkout.

If insufficient media content is specified for an activity's duration,systems and methods according to examples of the invention also mayhandle this situation in any desired manner without departing from thisinvention. For example, the specified songs or content may be repeated,new songs or content may be automatically selected (optionally, based onother user input or history, such as from user enumerated “favorites,”from most frequently played content, from content with similarcharacteristic(s) to the user identified content (e.g., content with asimilar beat, cadence, etc.; content from the same artist or the samegenre; content “borrowed” from other user workouts including this sameactivity; content “borrowed” from other workout activities within thissame workout; etc.). Other desired ways of handling these situations maybe used without departing from this invention.

The workout parts 1304 a, 1304 b, or 1304 c of this illustrated exampleinclude another feature, namely, a “Motivational Song(s)” line. Ifdesired, users of systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention may select one or more “motivational songs.”The motivational song(s)(or other audio/video media content) may beplayed at various times during a workout routine, e.g., in an effort tohelp motivate the user to better or continued performance. For example,when a user of a gym machine approaches a portion of the workout havinghigh intensity (such as high incline, high resistance level, increasedspeed, etc.), systems and methods according to at least some examples ofthis invention may automatically output one of the motivational songs(or other media content), in an effort to motivate the user to expendadditional effort to meet the additional increased intensity challenge.As additional examples, motivational song(s) may be automaticallytriggered, for example: when a user approaches a personal best (e.g.,best split time, best mile time, longest total distance, etc.); when theuser approaches a predetermined time, distance, or location in theworkout; when the user falls behind a predetermined pace; when the userapproaches a preselected goal or milestone; etc. Any desired time,timing, or other parameters may be used for triggering presentation ofthe motivational content without departing from this invention (examplesof which will be described in more detail below). The motivationalcontent also may include alphanumeric or textual information (e.g., inaddition to or in place of audio and/or video content).

As yet another example, if desired, the device 508 (or 506) may includea “motivate” hard button, the user interface may include a “motivate”icon, or the overall system otherwise may make presentation of themotivational content readily available for the user to manually triggerduring the workout routine, so that users can easily triggerpresentation of motivational songs or other content at will (e.g., ifthey begin feeling lethargic or otherwise feel they are unmotivated orfalling behind their desired output or pace, if they simply decide theywant to pick up the pace or need motivation, etc.).

FIG. 14 illustrates additional potential features that may be availablefor customizing and mixing workouts for users of systems and methodsaccording to at least some examples of this invention. In addition to oras an alternative to the motivational song(s) features described above,systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may allow users (or others) to select an audio/video “coach”or other “motivator,” if desired, to provide encouragement to the userbefore the workout, as the workout progresses, and/or after the workout.This content source may be selected, for example, using user interfacearea 1402 of the interface 1400 shown in FIG. 14 (“add” button 1410 aallows the user to select one or more of the available options for useas the coach/motivator voice, video, etc.). Any desired audio/videocontent may be used without departing from this invention, including,for example, voices or video of: a user's coach or trainer; a famousathlete or celebrity (e.g., selected by the user, optionally fromexternal sources, such as the remote source 704 described above inconjunction with FIG. 7; stored in memory on electronic device 508;etc.); a user's spouse; a user's child; the user; etc. If desired, theuser interface 1400 also may include user interaction and/or inputelements, such as icons or buttons 1404 a and 1404 b, that allow usersto record or import (from an external source, such as remote source 704over a network of FIG. 7) any desired audio and/or video content to beused as the coach or motivator content (e.g., the user's child's voiceencouraging the parent to really try hard for a strong finish, etc.).

As exemplified by area 1406 of the user interface 1400 of FIG. 14, awide variety of options and/or situations may be made available forautomatically triggering or activating the coach/motivator content. Anynumber of different trigger events or situations may be selected by auser and used in a given workout routine or activity without departingfrom the invention (optionally with some delay between successiveactivations of the coach/motivator content, e.g., to give the user anopportunity to put forth the additional effort in response to theprevious coach/motivator content, to prevent overplaying of the content,etc.). One or more of the user desired triggers may be selected, forexample, using “add” button 1410 b. Also, different workouts or partsthereof may include and use different trigger or activation events,optionally, events selected and determined by the user. Examples ofpotential triggers for coach/motivator content include: falling behind apredetermined pace (e.g., slowing below an actual trigger pace level,slowing a certain percentage below a base or average pace, etc.);approaching a personal best (or a personal worst); working out for apredetermined elapsed time; reaching a predetermined distance orlocation; reaching a predetermined number of sets or repetitions;approaching a difficult or intense portion of the workout; falling pulseor heart rate; etc. Also, if desired, systems and methods according toat least some examples of this invention may have automatic or defaulttriggers, optionally triggers that activate in addition to user selectedactivation triggers. The system need not be designed to trigger coach ormotivator content during each triggering event experience, e.g., ifdoing so would result in over exposure to the coach/motivator content.

If desired, systems and methods according to at least some examples ofthis invention additionally or alternatively may include and present“reward content” to users. Users may enter and/or control the rewardcontent through area 1408 of this example user interface 1400. Rewardcontent may take on a variety of different forms without departing fromthis invention, such as an audio and/or video congratulatory statementfrom a celebrity, famous athlete, spouse, child, coach, trainer, etc.(e.g., similar to the sources of coaching/motivational content describedabove). Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the reward contentmay constitute a reward song, e.g., selected by the user, selected froma predetermined list created by the user, etc. Like the coach/motivatorcontent selected through the use of interface area 1402, the contentsource for the reward content may be selected using any desired userinterface system or elements, for example, the “add” button 1410 c,which allows selection of one or more available options for rewardcontent from a listing. The reward content may originate from anydesired source, such as from external sources, like a remote source 704described above in conjunction with FIG. 7; stored in memory onelectronic device 508; etc. If desired, user interaction elements, suchas icons or buttons 1404 a and 1404 b also may be used to record orimport (from an external source, such as remote source 704 over anetwork of FIG. 7) any desired audio and/or video (or other) content tobe used as the reward content. Although not illustrated in FIG. 14, theuser interface 1400 also may accept user input to indicate the timesand/or triggers for activating the reward content, e.g., for achievementof any type of goal (e.g., running a lap or split time or distance at orfaster than a certain pace; increasing the number of weights, sets, orrepetitions when weight lifting; increasing incline or resistance levelson exercise machines; increasing total elapsed time or distance in anactivity; successfully achieving a goal indicated by the coach ormotivator; etc.). For example, an area similar to area 1406 fortriggering the coach/motivator content may be used for specifying userselected reward triggers.

While reward content may be presented at the end of a workout oractivity, this is not a requirement. Rather, if desired, reward contentmay be presented at any relevant time during an athletic performance,e.g., for achievement of any type of goal or milestone (e.g., running alap or split time or distance at or faster than a certain pace;increasing the number of weights, sets, or repetitions when weightlifting; increasing incline or resistance levels on exercise machines;increasing total elapsed time or distance in an activity; etc.).Presenting reward content at various intermediate time periods can servea dual purpose of additionally providing motivational content to theuser. Reward content also may constitute alphanumeric or textual content(e.g., in addition to or in place of audio and/or video content).

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of use of the display screen 800 of anelectronic device 508 for providing a user interface 1500 includingmotivational content, e.g., to help motivate users to extend theirworkout, to improve their performance, and/or to attain or exceed theirdesired fitness goals or personal bests. As a workout routine proceedsin this example system and method, the electronic device 508 receivesspeed, distance, and timing information and compares this information topast workout data for the user relating to his/her personal bests. Inthis illustrated example, total distance, elapsed time, and currentspeed data are displayed to the user in area 1502. In addition, thecollected data relating to the existing workout in this exampleindicates that the user was approaching his/her personal best in totaldistance covered. Any relevant data may be used to trigger this type ofmotivational content (e.g., total time, total calorie burn, currentpace, etc.).

In such situations, systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention may prompt the user to increase his/hereffort and/or extend his/her workout in an effort to reach apredetermined goal or milestone and/or to set a personal best. Users maybe informed of the presence of this prompt on the screen, if desired,using an audio and/or visual indicator, such as a beep, a flashing lightor icon, etc. Various types of potential motivational content aredescribed above in conjunction with FIG. 14. Additionally oralternatively, if desired, music (or other audio, video, textual, oralphanumeric content) may be used as a motivator. In the illustratedexample, area 1504 of the interface 1500 advises the user that he/she isapproaching some goal or milestone. The interface 1500 then encouragesthe user to extend the workout, e.g., for the length of time representedby at least one additional song. If the user indicates “yes” in responseto this prompt, one or more additional songs will be played and theworkout may be extended (if “no” is indicated, the workout may continueand end at its originally designated time/distance, etc.). Interfaces ofthe types illustrated in FIG. 15 may be particularly useful in situationwhere achieving the identified goal, milestone, or personal best willextend the workout in some manner beyond previously user set workoutparameters (e.g., extend the overall time, distance, etc.), e.g., togive the user an opportunity to maintain his/her original schedule, ifdesired.

FIG. 15 illustrates an additional potential option that may be availablein such situations. Rather than simply playing the next song from alisting or randomly selecting a song from those stored on or availablethrough the electronic device 508, systems and methods according to atleast some examples of this invention may allow users to designate useof and/or select one of their particularly identified motivational songsduring this extended workout period. This may be accomplished, forexample, by selecting the “motivational song” icon 1506. This action mayautomatically select a song from the user's pre-designated motivationalsong listing (e.g., see FIG. 13), optionally a random selection fromthat listing, if the motivational song listing includes multiple songs.Alternatively, if desired, interaction with icon 1506 may activate alisting that allows the user to select a specific motivational songdesired at that time. Other interfaces and ways of providing amotivational song to the user may be used without departing from thisinvention.

The motivational song icon or button (or other interface element) 1506may appear in some or even all screens of the overall systems, methods,and user interfaces according to examples of this invention, if desired.This feature can allow users to have easy access to and activation ofmotivational content. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, a hardbutton or other hardware element may be provided with the electronicdevice 508 (or interface 506 or other device) to allow easy access toand/or activation of the user's motivational content.

Additional examples of user interfaces relating to, features of, and useof motivational songs and motivational song libraries will be describedin more detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 16-19.

F. Use of Subjective User Input Relating to Music and/or Other Contentin Systems and Methods According to Examples of this Invention

As described above, e.g., in conjunction with FIGS. 13-15, one aspect ofsystems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention relates to providing entertainment, motivational, and/orreward content (e.g., audio, video, or other media content, alphanumericor textual content, etc.) to users, e.g., in an effort to keep usersfrom becoming bored and/or to drive users to improve their fitness,achieve their goals, etc. Motivational songs (or other media content)may be used at a variety of different times during a workout, such aswhen a user has an opportunity to reach a pre-selected goal ormilestone; when a user has an opportunity to reach a personal best; whena user actually achieves a goal, reaches a milestone, or sets a personalbest; when a user falls behind a pre-selected pace or goal; when a userrequests a motivational song; etc.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example user interface 1600 through whichmotivational songs may be selected by users based on their own personalpreferences. This user interface 1600 may be made available to users atany desired location, e.g., provided on the electronic device 508,provided on a user's personal computer 702, downloaded from a remotesystem or source 704, etc. In this illustrated example user interface1600, activation of the interface 1600 produces a song library listing1602 through which users can select one or more songs (e.g., highlighted“Song C” in this example) and “add” it/them to the “Motivational SongLibrary” 1604 using the “Add” button icon 1606. Optionally, if necessaryand desired, selection of the “Add” icon 1606 may activate systems,methods, and/or user interfaces to allow users to download and purchasethe media content, e.g., from a remote, commercial, on-line source, etc.Songs may be removed from the Motivational Song Library 1604 using“Delete” icon 1608. Many variations in the content of, presentation of,and user interaction with a user interface for identifying and selectingmotivational songs and controlling the content of a motivational songlibrary are possible without departing from this invention. Also, whilethe discussion above (and much of that which follows) describes themotivational content in terms of “motivational songs,” those skilled inthe art will appreciate that motivational content may take on formsother than songs without departing from this invention, such as anydesired audio, video, and/or media content; alphanumeric or textualcontent; e.g., that may be presented through a user carried portableplayback device.

FIG. 16 illustrates another feature that may be available in systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention. The userinterface 1600 of this example requests users to select an “ultimatemotivational song” (see area 1610). The ultimate motivational song mayor may not be one of the songs included in the motivational song library1604, and it may be used in a variety of ways. In this illustratedexample, the ultimate motivational song may be changed by selection ofthe “change” button or icon 1612, and then selection of a different song(e.g., from the general listing 1602 or the motivational song library1604) or vice versa. Other ways of selecting and changing the ultimatemotivational song, when present, may be used without departing from thisinvention.

As noted above, the “ultimate motivational song” potentially may be usedin a variety of ways in systems and methods according to examples ofthis invention. For example, if the “ultimate motivational song” is oneof a user's favorite workout songs, its designation as the “ultimatemotivational song” may cause it to be used more frequently by systemsand methods according to some examples of the invention as opposed toother identified “motivational songs.” In such situations andarrangements, the user will hear their favorite song more frequently,but because of the presence of other motivational songs in the library1604, the ultimate motivational song will not be played in everyinstance that a motivational song is presented. As another example, the“ultimate motivational song” may be reserved for “special” workoutoccasions, e.g., when user goals or milestones are potentially withinreach, when personal bests can be exceeded, etc., while othermotivational songs may be used at other times, such as when a boost isneeded, when the user falls below a pre-set pace, etc. As still anotherexample, if desired, the ultimate motivational song may be reserved foruse in response to user input requesting the motivational song (e.g.,when button or icon 1506 is selected, as described in conjunction withFIG. 15), while the other motivational songs in the library 1604 may beautomatically (optionally randomly) selected by systems and methodsaccording to the invention, e.g., in response to (and/or in an effort toenhance) the user's performance. Systems and methods according toexamples of this invention may use the ultimate motivational song (ifany) in still other ways without departing from the invention.

Optionally, if desired, the motivational song library may be omitted insystems and methods according to some examples of this invention. Ifdesired, a single motivational song may be identified by users (ratherthan a collection of songs), e.g., to provide motivational and/or rewardcontent.

Systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may provide additional features relating to motivational songsand/or motivational song libraries. As described above, systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention mayconnect to a remote system (e.g., system 704 from FIG. 7), for example,over the internet or another networked connection. Because the remotesystem also may receive data from other users, systems and methodsaccording to examples of this invention may suggest or recommend mediacontent to one user (e.g., motivational song content) based onmotivational song information supplied by other users. For example, uponselection of a motivational song for one's motivation song library (asshown in FIG. 16), systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention may provide suggestions or recommendationsfor additional motivational songs for the user's library. FIG. 17illustrates one example of a user interface 1700 for performing thisfunction. As shown in FIG. 17, upon selection of a specific song for theuser's motivational song library, systems and methods according to thisexample of the invention may review the selection history of that songand/or the motivational song libraries of other users of the system(e.g., using remote system 704) and provide a listing 1702 of othersuggested motivational songs based on the motivational song libraries ofother users that have selected the same song for their motivational songlibrary. Once the listing 1702 has been generated and presented to theuser, the user may select one or more of the songs from the listing 1702for inclusion in their own motivational song library. If necessary,appropriate interfaces may be provided to enable users to downloadand/or purchase any of the desired songs, e.g., from commercial and/oron-line sources. The “Free Sample” icon 1704 allows users to experienceat least some portion(s) of a suggested song or media content, such as amovie clip (e.g., if they do not recognize the content), to provideadditional information on which to base their selection decision.

Suggestions for additional songs (including motivational songs) or othermedia content are not limited to suggestions based on a specific song(or other content) selected by a user, and they are not limited tosuggestions based on selections made by other users that have used thesame song (or content). Based on the overall content of a user's songlibrary, favorites listing, most played listing, motivational songlibrary, etc., systems and methods according to at least some examplesof this invention may suggest additional songs based on other factors,such as: songs from the same artist or groups as the songs included inone or more of the user's libraries or listings; songs of the same genreas the songs included in one or more of the user's libraries orlistings; songs having the same or similar beat or cadence as the songsincluded in the user's libraries or listings; etc. Other similarityfactors also may play a role in making these suggestions, such assimilarities in age, gender, hobby listings, etc. Appropriate interfacesmay be provided, e.g., like those described above in conjunction withFIG. 17, to display listings or titles of suggested songs to the user;to enable users to download and/or purchase any of the desired songs,e.g., from commercial and/or on-line sources, if necessary; to allowuser “sampling;” etc.

Subjective data, input by users, also may be used in systems and methodsaccording to at least some examples of this invention, e.g., to at leastin part control use and/or status of the media content (e.g., songs,videos, etc.). FIG. 18 illustrates one example. As a workout progressesand presentation of a song (or other media content) is completed,systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may request subjective user feedback relating to the song orother content. As shown in FIG. 18, the user interface 1800 of thisexample includes an area 1802 requesting that the user indicate how muchthey liked the previous content. In this illustrated example, the usermay provide six potential responses to this inquiry, namely: (a)maintain the song at its current status (e.g., in its current playlists, at the same play frequency, etc.); (b) increase its playfrequency; (c) add to “motivational songs library” (e.g., a motivationalsong as described above); (d) make it the “ultimate motivational song”(e.g., the ultimate motivational song as described above); (e) decreaseits play frequency; and (f) remove it from the workout. Of course, theseare just examples of potential options that may be included in area1802. If desired, without departing from this invention, additionaloptions may be included, one or more of the listed options may beomitted, other ways of presenting the options may be provided, etc.

FIG. 18 illustrates another feature that may be made available insystems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention. As described above, systems and methods according to at leastsome examples of this invention may include an electronic module 502and/or other devices for sensing, tracking, and/or storingcharacteristics of the user's athletic performance (e.g., a speed and/ordistance monitoring system, a cadence detecting or monitoring system, aphysical or physiological parameter measuring system, etc.). Theobjective data relating to the user's athletic performance may betracked with respect to the music or other media content presented tothe user via electronic device 508 during the workout. In this manner,the objective effect of the media content on the user's athleticperformance (if any) may be tracked, and the user can make decisionsabout the status of specific media content (e.g., its inclusion in aplay list, its play frequency, its status as a motivational song, itsstatus as the ultimate motivational song, etc.) based, at least in part,on objective data correlating the presentation of the content and theuser's actual performance. In other words, systems and methods accordingto at least some examples of this invention may be used to identifysongs and/or other media content that positively or negatively affectthe user's athletic performance, optionally with respect to differentactivity types (e.g., while running, while using an elliptical machine,during weight lifting, etc.).

As more specific examples, for at least some users, presenting contenthaving a beat (e.g., music beat or tempo) that closely corresponds to ormatches the user's cadence during the workout activity (e.g., steplanding during running, cycling or elliptical training machine footpresses or push-offs, rowing pulls, etc., for example, two music beatsper step or exertion, or the like) can positively affect the user'sperformance. In other words, some users may consciously orsubconsciously try to keep their steps or other exertion cadence in timewith the music beat. This action may help these users maintain anincreased pace for a longer time period (i.e., they may try to maintaincadence in time with the music, even as they tire and would normallyslow down). The opposite effect also is possible (e.g., users may slowtheir step or exertion pace or cadence when music content having aslower beat is presented). Accordingly, systems and methods according toat least some examples of this invention (e.g., systems and methods thatcan correlate user performance characteristics with audio/video contentpresentation) also can be used to identify music and other content forusers that may enhance and/or has been demonstrated as enhancing theirperformance. Additionally, by using data relating to music or othercontent having a positive effect on user performance, systems andmethods according to this example of the invention may identify othercontent having similar characteristics (e.g., similar genre, beat,etc.), and the systems and methods may automatically suggest or presentthis content (e.g., songs) to the user. As yet additional examples, ifdesired, systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may alter the playback characteristics of music or othercontent to better match the characteristics of content demonstrated ashaving positively impacted the user's performance (e.g., speed up and/orslow down the music beat or playback of the music or other content tobetter match the beat of other positively impacting content, to bettermatch user cadence or step pace, and/or to help alter user cadence,etc.).

As shown in FIG. 18, the user interface 1800 includes an icon 1804 thatallows users to request objective data relating to their performanceduring presentation of the identified song (or other media content).Selection of this icon 1804, in this illustrated example, changes theinterface screen 1800, as shown in FIG. 19, to present objective data,if available, that relates to the user's athletic performance duringpresentation of the song (or other media content). In this illustratedexample, area 1806 of the interface 1800 indicates performance changedata (if any) that was sensed during presentation of the identified song(or other media content). If desired, the user can then make changes tothe song's status, e.g., in area 1802, in the manner described above,based on this additional objective data. If desired, in at least someinstances (e.g., when a strongly positive or negative performance impactis sensed), the objective data may be presented to the userautomatically, without the need for user interaction or selection (e.g.,using the interface 1800 and/or icon 1804, etc.).

Storing information relating to the objective impact of music or othermedia content on a user's athletic performance may be used in other waysby systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention. For example, by identifying songs (or other media content)that appear to positively affect the user's performance, systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention may beused to automatically present these songs at desired times during aworkout (e.g., during an intense portion of a workout, when slowing issensed, when predetermined goals or milestones are within reach, when anew personal best is within reach, etc.). In effect, using the objectiveperformance data, systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention can automatically generate a “motivationalsong library” and/or identify an “ultimate motivational song,” asgenerally described above. Such automatically generated or identifiedcontent may be used in addition to and/or in place of the subjective anduser identified libraries and/or content described above. Any desiredconditions or parameters may be used in identifying a song or othermedia content for inclusion in the automatically generated “motivationalsong library” and/or “ultimate motivational song” (e.g., increased speedor other performance parameter by 1%, 2%, 3%, or more, etc.).

In addition to use of the objective data as correlated with mediacontent output to provide an automatically generated “motivational songlibrary” and/or “ultimate motivational song,” the objective data may beused by systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention, at least in part, to create entire workout routines for theuser (including mixed music). For example, the objective data may beused to create workout routines including one or more activity typeswherein music and/or other content is selected automatically forinclusion and presentation during the workout routines (e.g., in aneffort to enhance the user's performance) based on the objective dataindicating songs or other content that has positively impacted theuser's performance (optionally on an activity type by activity typebasis) in the past.

In addition to using objective data from one specific individual forinclusion in a proposed workout routine for that individual, objectivedata relating to certain media content and its effect on performance maybe shared with others, for example, via the remote source 704, over thenetwork (such as the internet), etc. As some more specific examples,workout routines or portions thereof from one user (including the mediacontent) may be used by systems and methods according to the inventionto create workout routines or portions thereof for one or more otherusers (including the media content) and/or to present certain mediacontent (found to positively impact the performance of at least oneuser) to one or more other users at certain times. Optionally, systemsand methods according to examples of the invention also may use theobjective data and media content, at least in part, to present a workoutroutine (including media content) from one user to users having one ormore of the same general characteristics as the user, such as similarheight, weight, fitness level, workout lengths, activity types,combinations of activity types, the same gender, same hobbies, etc.

G. Miscellaneous Potential Features of Systems and Methods According toExamples of this Invention

A wide variety of variations on the above-described features of systems,methods, and user interfaces therefor may be provided without departingfrom this invention, including variations on the user interface toinclude features commonly known and used in the art, e.g., features ofcommercially available computer and/or electronic device operatingsystems. While the following section describes certain potential andspecific variations on features of systems, methods, and user interfacestherefor, those skilled in the art will recognize that other variationson these features and/or use or inclusion of other features are possiblewithout departing from this invention. The following description ofthese specific features should not be construed as limiting or requiringsystems, methods, and user interfaces according to the invention toinclude these specific features and/or as indicating that systems,methods, and user interfaces in accordance with this invention may notinclude additional or different features.

1. Reward Programs and/or Enhanced Feature Sets for Certain Users

Systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention are not limited to situations and/or arrangements in which anelectronic module (e.g., module 502, a pedometer type speed and/ordistance measuring electronic module, a physical and/or physiologicalparameter measuring module, etc.) is included as part of or mounted in areceptacle provided in an article of footwear. Rather, the electronicmodule may be included in a variety of different products, such as inapparel (e.g., a shirt or jersey, as shown in FIG. 1); provided as aseparate element carried or worn by the user; attached to the user'sbody, clothing, shoes, equipment, etc. (such as the wrist band elementor the adhesively applied module shown in FIG. 1); etc. Any desiredmanner of mounting or carrying the electronic module may be used inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention.

Even for modules that may be mounted and effectively used at variousdifferent locations or positions on a user's body or the like, systemsand methods according to at least some examples of this invention mayprovide different functionality to the module and/or the overallathletic performance sensing and/or tracking system based on the mannerin which the module is mounted, the equipment to which it is mounted,the manner in which it is used, the items or arrangement with which itwas purchased or obtained, etc. As examples, if desired, users ofsystems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may receive various “rewards” and/or “enhanced feature sets”when the modules are purchased and/or used with equipment provided by acertain manufacturer (e.g., purchased, mounted, and/or used in apredetermined manufacturer's clothing, footwear, and/or other equipment,etc.).

Any desired way of providing and/or activating the “reward” and/or“enhanced feature set” may be provided without departing from thisinvention. For example, the clothing, footwear, and/or other equipmentfor use with the module may include at least some portion of anactivation and/or authentication system that interacts with theelectronic module in some manner to provide and/or trigger availabilityof the “reward” and/or “enhanced feature set.” Examples of suchactivation and/or authentication systems are described, for example, inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,351 filed Jun. 27, 2005, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/407,328 filed Apr. 20, 2006, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/416,458 filed May 3, 2006. Each of thesepatent applications is entirely incorporated herein by reference. Asanother example, if desired, when a user purchases a module “enabled” or“ready” article of clothing, article of footwear, and/or piece ofathletic equipment, they may be given coupons, an internet code,password, other access code, or other information that directly provide,activate, and/or provide access to the “reward” or “enhanced featureset.” Other ways of activating and/or obtaining a “reward” and/or“enhanced feature set” and/or authenticating use of the electronicmodule with a particular article of clothing, article of footwear,and/or piece of athletic equipment may be used without departing fromthis invention.

The “reward” and/or “enhanced feature set” also may take on any desiredform without departing from this invention. For example, as noted above,the “reward” may constitute a coupon (paper or electronic) for free ordiscounted merchandise (e.g., discount off future purchases, discount onthe electronic module (or other equipment) when purchased with footwear,clothing, or equipment from a participating manufacturer, etc.); rebateoffers; free additional merchandise with purchase of the module andfootwear, clothing, or equipment from a participating manufacturer; etc.As additional examples, if desired, the remote system (e.g., system 704in FIG. 7, such as a website, server, etc.) or other system forreceiving, storing, processing, and/or managing the athletic performancedata (e.g., run on or through computer 702 in FIG. 7) may provideenhanced functionality for module users who also have purchasedfootwear, clothing, or equipment from a participating manufacturer(e.g., longer term storage of data, additional interface features,additional data processing and/or display features, etc.). As yetfurther examples, if desired, the “reward” or “enhanced feature set” mayconstitute free access to a website or other computer program(optionally a limited time free access or introductory period) forstoring and processing the athletic performance data for module userswho also have purchased footwear, clothing, or equipment from aparticipating manufacturer (while module users who have not purchasedfootwear, clothing, or equipment from a participating manufacturer wouldbe required to pay a fee or a higher fee for access to the website orcomputer program, optionally a monthly or other subscription type fee,etc.). A wide variety of other types of “rewards” and/or “enhancedfeature sets” are possible without departing from this invention.

2. Athletic Performance Data Presentation

As is known, conventional athletic performance and exercise equipment iscapable of presenting data and information to users regarding theirperformances or workouts (e.g., distance, time, speed, calories burned,metabolic equivalents (“METs”), etc.). Systems and methods according toat least some examples of this invention may be programmed and adaptedto provide performance data and/or information to users in other formsor formats, e.g., so as to be more entertaining, motivational,goal-oriented, etc. For example, as for distance, rather than merelyindicating miles or kilometers traveled, the distance data (e.g.,distance traveled for a given workout, distance traveled over the courseof two or more workouts, total distance traveled, etc.) may be presentedas an indication of the distance traveled in the “real world.” As morespecific examples, the distance traveled data may be presented as a mapof a relevant area (e.g., a user's local area, a state map, a U.S. map,a world map, etc.) showing the distance traveled by the user on the map.Such a presentation tool can help provide motivation and/or help usersbetter define and visualize goals. For example, a user may have a “goal”of running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle a distance“across their home state” within a specific time period (e.g., a month)or “across the U.S.” within a specific time period (e.g., a year).Presenting such user's progress on a map can help them easily visualizetheir goals and current progress and/or provide motivation to continueworking toward the goal in the future. Multiple users, optionally usersinvolved in a virtual race, competing with one another, and/or strivingto achieve a common goal, may be shown on a single map, e.g., forfurther motivational purposes.

The user's progress and/or goal may be presented on a map of any desiredarea without departing from this invention (e.g., a locally relevantmap, a map of an area familiar to and/or selected by the user, etc.).Additionally or alternatively, the map may be changed over time,optionally automatically by systems and/or methods according to thisinvention. For example, for users with long distance running or bikinggoals, the displayed map may change as certain milestones are approachedand/or achieved. For example, progress for a treadmill or exercisebicycle user having a goal of running or biking “across the U.S.” may bedisplayed in various ways as the user's distance accumulates over time.During a workout in which the user's accumulated distance passes orapproaches 350 miles, systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention may display a map including San Diego, Calif.and Phoenix, Ariz. and advise the user, for example, as follows:“Congratulations. Today you passed the 350 mile mark toward your goal.As shown in this map, had you begun running in San Diego, you would havereached Phoenix today!” At a later time, this same user may reach the700 mile mark. On that day, systems and methods according to thisexample of the invention may display a map including Washington, D.C.and Chicago, Ill. and advise the user, for example, as follows:“Congratulations. Today you passed the 700 mile mark toward your goal.As shown in this map, this is equivalent to the distance betweenWashington D.C. and Chicago, Ill. Keep up the good work!” Of course, awide variety of messages, maps, starting/ending locations, and the likemay be used without departing from this invention, and user input may beprovided, at least in part, to indicate or define these features.

“Real world” goals for other workout activity types may include, forexample: a total weight lifted goal (e.g., pounds×# of sets×# ofrepetitions/set, etc.) sufficient to lift the Brooklyn Bridge; totalnumber of floors or hill incline climbed goal sufficient to climb Mt.Everest; total number of miles rowed goal sufficient to row across LakeMichigan; total miles skied goal sufficient to ski to the North Pole;etc. Any desired “real world” goals may be presented visually or inother manners in an effort to entertain and motivate users and to keepthem interested in continuing their workout routines over time.

Other measured workout parameters also may be usefully expressed in“real world” terms, e.g., for entertainment, motivational, and/orgoal-driven purposes. As further examples, information relating toworkout intensity data (e.g., such as calories burned, METs, etc.) maybe presented or displayed in more “real world” forms or formats. As morespecific examples, “calorie” data and information may be presented(e.g., before a workout as a goal, during a workout, and/or in apost-workout analysis) in real world terms as being equivalent tocertain foods or beverages. Of course, the display may present anydesired food or beverages to the user without departing from thisinvention. As examples, if a user selects a “calorie burn” goal beforebeginning a workout, systems and methods according to examples of thisinvention may display icons or pictures of food or drink correspondingto the calorie burn goal (e.g., three hamburgers, two glasses of wine, acomplete meal, etc., displayed, for example, on the exercise equipmentdisplay, on the portable electronic device 508, etc.). Then, as theworkout progresses, these icons or pictures could disappear and/orchange in appearance to indicate the extent to which the workout hasbeen completed. Any desired way of presenting and/or changing thepictures or icons may be used without departing from this invention,such as: changing the color of the icon or picture (optionally inportions as the workout progresses); causing an increasing portion ofthe icon or picture to fade, gray, or disappear, etc.; causing anincreasing portion of the icon or picture to colorize or appear; “X”-ingout the icon or picture (e.g., slowly superimposing an “X,” “No” symbol,or similar character or icon over the food or drink icon or picture,etc.); etc. Additionally or alternatively, calorie burn data andinformation after the workout (or at other times) may be displayed(e.g., on the exercise equipment, on the electronic device 508, on apost-workout analysis computer (such as computer 702 in FIG. 7), etc.)as the equivalent food, drink, and/or meal pictures or icons.

3. Special or Targeted Workout Goals

As described above, systems and methods according to at least someexamples of this invention may be used to provide pre-programmedworkouts for users (optionally, user designed workout routines, thirdparty designed workout routines, purchased workouts, downloadedworkouts, combinations thereof, etc.). Such workouts may include avariety of different activity types, and optionally activities thatchange from workout-to-workout (e.g., different types of activities ondifferent days, different workout parameters on different days, etc.).

Systems and methods according to some examples of this invention, mayallow users to define their workouts and/or goals in other ways as well.For example, users may state their goals in more “real world” terms,such as: a “pre-wedding” (or pre-prom, pre-class reunion, or otherevent) weight loss workout program; a “swimsuit” workout program; a“flabby arm management” workout program; a “blood-pressure reduction”workout program; a “cholesterol control” workout program; etc. Giventhese “real world goals,” optionally in combination with other datarelating to the user or the goal (e.g., gender, height, weight, currentfitness level, workout history, date of event, etc.), systems andmethods according to at least some examples of this invention mayprovide a workout program designed to help the user better achieve thedesired goal (optionally, receiving input from professionals).

The workout programs may be designed by third parties (e.g., coach,nutritionist, trainer, physician, etc.), optionally specially designedfor the specific requesting individual, or they may be automaticallyselected by systems and methods according to the invention frompreviously designed and stored workout programs available to users. Theworkout routine for any individual day may be downloaded, for example,from another source (e.g., remote computer 704 or local computer 702 inFIG. 7, from a disk or other memory device, etc.) to the electronicdevice 508, electronic module 502, interface device 506, etc., whichoptionally may be used to control exercise equipment and/or otheraspects of the workout, as described above.

4. Other Data or Information Presentation Techniques

User movement or activity when working out or participating in anathletic event or performance may make it difficult, in at least someinstances (e.g., during particularly intensive portions of the workoutor event, etc.), to read detailed information provided on a screen 800of a small electronic device 508 (e.g., particularly if the informationis presented in small fonts, etc.). Systems and methods according to atleast some examples of this invention may be designed to provide atleast some information to users in a quickly identifiable manner, e.g.,in a manner that will not require reading small print.

One way of providing information to users in a quickly identifiablemanner relates to the background color present on the display screen800. For example, if desired, systems and methods according to at leastsome examples of this invention may make certain background colorscorrespond to a physical or physiological parameter associated with theworkout. As more specific examples, the background color may becorrelated to physical or physiological parameters such as current heartrate, total calories burned, total distance traveled, current pace,percentage of workout completed, etc. While any desired correlationbetween the background color and the physical or physiological parametermay be used without departing from this invention, in some examples ofthis invention the color may change over the visible spectrum (e.g.,purple (for light/resting/beginning physical or physiologicalparameters, such as resting heart rate) changing to red (forheavy/intense/ending physical or physiological parameters, such as heartrate approaching a dangerous or desired maximum level), optionally withintermediate changes through one or more of blue, green, yellow, orange,etc. to indicate intermediate levels for the physical or physiologicalparameter(s). Of course, any numbers of colors, color combinations,color change schemes, and the like (including gray-scaling,cross-hatching or shading, line or font types/characteristics, etc.) maybe used without departing from this invention. The color coding key(e.g., which colors are used and the manner in which they correlate tothe levels of the physical or physiological parameters) may be userselected; pre-set by the system and/or method; determined based, atleast part, on the user's personal characteristics (e.g., age, gender,height, weight, fitness level, history, etc.); and/or set in any otherdesired manner and/or using any other desired information.

The entire background of the screen 800 need not be changed or colorcoded to take advantage of these example aspects of the invention. Asanother example, if desired, a border of the screen 800 may includethese types of color change and/or color coding features (more than oneborder may be provided or more than one color coded parameter may beprovided using a single (potentially multi-colored) border, if desired,to provide information for more than one parameter). As another example,a portion of the screen (e.g., an “intensity block” in the upper leftcorner, etc.) may be provided to include one or more of these types ofcolor change and/or color coding features. As yet additional examples,the desired physical or physiological data may be presented graphicallyor pictorially, such as by a bar graph, a “progress” chart (e.g., likethose used to show download time remaining in commercially availablecomputer operating systems), an analog type display (e.g., an analogspeedometer or tachometer type display, etc.), a bouncing ball or othericon element (e.g., similar to graphic elements provided in conventionalsound equalizer devices and/or applications), etc. As yet anotherexample, font color (rather than background color) may be changed (e.g.,using the color schemes described above) to quickly and easily provideinformation to users, e.g., of the types described above.

5. Fitness/Workout/Intensity Indices

Systems and methods according to at least some examples of thisinvention may allow users, equipment manufacturers, coaches, trainers,or others to design their own parameters or indices for tracking one'sfitness, workout difficulty, workout intensity, and/or other workoutcharacteristics. Any desired data and/or information may be used toformulate these indices, such as: age; gender; height; weight; workoutintensity data (e.g., speed, set resistance levels, set incline levels,number of sets, number of repetitions, etc.); workout time/duration;elapsed time; elapsed distance; user's workout history; calorie burn;METs; etc. Any desired mathematical formula, algorithm, or scheme forcombining information relating to one or more of these data items may beused without departing from this invention to arrive at a desired“index” to measure, track, and/or compare the fitness and/or workoutcharacteristics of one or more individuals.

III. Conclusion

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and methods. For examplevarious aspects of the invention may be used in different combinationsand various different subcombinations of aspects of the invention may beused together in a single system or method without departing from theinvention. Also, various elements, components, and/or steps describedabove may be changed, changed in order, omitted, and/or additionalelements, components, and/or steps may be added without departing fromthis invention. Additionally, while specific user interface elements andformats are shown in the illustrated examples, those skilled in the artwill understand that any desired manner of presenting information tousers and/or receiving their input may be used without departing fromthis invention. Also, while much of the above description relates touser interfaces provided on a portable electronic device that may becarried by the user during the performance (e.g., device 508), this isnot a requirement. Alternatively or additionally, if desired, any of thefeatures of the systems, methods, and/or user interfaces described abovemay be accessed, operated, and/or controlled through other computers,such as a personal computer (e.g., PC 702), the exercise equipmentdisplay screen or input panel, a remote computer (e.g., a gym's centralcomputer, a networked computer, etc.), etc. Thus, the invention shouldbe construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

1. An athletic performance control system, comprising: a display systemthat presents workout information to a user, wherein the workoutinformation includes information relating to content of a user's workoutroutine; a user interface system that prompts the user for a first inputrelating to a desired workout intensity parameter for the workoutroutine, wherein the user interface system prompts the user duringperformance of athletic activity of the workout routine in response todetermining that the user is having difficulty with the workout routine;an input system for receiving the first input; and a processing systemprogrammed and adapted to: provide, under at least some circumstances, arevised or modified workout routine based, at least in part, on thefirst input; and determine whether the user is having difficulty withthe workout routine, wherein the user interface system is furtherconfigured to: Prompt the user for a second input relating to asubjective evaluation of the workout routine upon completion of theworkout routine, wherein the workout routine includes a plurality oftypes of athletic activity; and Provide a workout comment to the user,wherein the workout comment is determined based on a comparison of thesecond input and previous workout data.
 2. An athletic performancecontrol system according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor thatsenses a physical or physiological characteristic relating to userparticipation in the workout routine, wherein the workout informationincludes information based on output from the sensor.
 3. An athleticperformance control system according to claim 2, wherein the sensorsenses at least one of speed information, distance information, ortiming information.
 4. An athletic performance control system accordingto claim 1, wherein the display system includes a display screen.
 5. Anathletic performance control system according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay system includes an audio output system.
 6. An athleticperformance control system according to claim 1, wherein the displaysystem and the input system are portable and carried by the user duringthe workout routine.
 7. An athletic performance control system accordingto claim 1, wherein the user interface system prompts the user for thefirst input during an initial workout activity of the workout routine.8. An athletic performance control system according to claim 1, whereinthe user interface system prompts the user for the first input during aninitial warm-up time period.
 9. An athletic performance control systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the user interface system prompts the userfor the first input within a first 10% of the workout routine timeperiod.
 10. An athletic performance control system according to claim 1,wherein the user interface system prompts the user for the first inputwithin a first 5% of the workout routine time period.
 11. An athleticperformance control system according to claim 1, wherein the userinterface system prompts the user for the first input toward an end of aworkout activity included in the workout routine.
 12. An athleticperformance control system according to claim 11, wherein the userinterface system prompts the user to indicate whether the workoutactivity should be extended.
 13. An athletic performance control systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the user interface system prompts the userfor a second input relating to the desired workout intensity parameterfor the workout routine in response to determining that the user'sperformance in a workout activity or in the workout routine is projectedto meet or exceed a personal best.
 14. An athletic performance controlsystem according to claim 1, wherein the user interface system requeststhat the user indicate whether an additional song or other media contentshould be added to the workout routine.
 15. An athletic performancecontrol system according to claim 1, wherein the revised or modifiedworkout routine is revised or modified in at least one manner selectedfrom the group of: increasing a time period associated with at least oneworkout activity in the workout routine; decreasing a time periodassociated with at least one workout activity in the workout routine;increasing a resistance level associated with use of a piece of exerciseequipment for at least one workout activity in the workout routine;decreasing a resistance level associated with use of a piece of exerciseequipment for at least one workout activity in the workout routine;increasing workout speed associated with use of a piece of exerciseequipment for at least one workout activity in the workout routine;decreasing workout speed associated with use of a piece of exerciseequipment for at least one workout activity in the workout routine;increasing a hill climb, step count goal, or elevation change parameterassociated with use of a piece of exercise equipment for at least oneworkout activity in the workout routine; decreasing a hill climb, stepcount goal, or elevation change parameter associated with use of a pieceof exercise equipment for at kast one workout activity in the workoutroutine; increasing a distance parameter associated with at least oneworkout activity in the workout routine; and decreasing a distanceparameter associated with at least one workout activity in the workoutroutine.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing system isadapted to determine whether the user is having difficulty with theworkout routine based on a detected pulse of the user.
 17. A machineimplemented athletic performance control method, comprising: presentingworkout information to a user via a portable display system, wherein theworkout information includes information relating to content of a user'sworkout routine; determining that the user is having difficulty with theworkout routine during performance of athletic activity of the workoutroutine; prompting the user for a first input relating to a desiredworkout intensity parameter for the workout routine, wherein theprompting occurs in response to determining that the user is havingdifficulty with the workout routine; receiving the first input; andproviding, under at least some circumstances, a revised or modifiedworkout routine based, at least in part, on the first input, promptingthe user for a second input relating to a subjective evaluation of theworkout routine upon completion of the workout routine, wherein theworkout routine includes a plurality of types of athletic activity;determining a workout comment to provide to the user based on acomparison of the second input and previous workout data; and providingthe workout comment to the user.
 18. The athletic performance controlmethod of claim 17, wherein determining that the user is havingdifficulty with the workout routine is based on a detected pulse of theuser.
 19. The athletic performance control method of claim 17, furthercomprising comparing the second input to a subjective evaluation of theworkout routine by another user.